For people that have damaged or missing teeth, choosing which type of dental work to improve their smile can often be a daunting procedure. There are many different types of dental treatments that can cosmetically enhance the teeth, and each work in a different way. For those with damaged or missing teeth the most common cosmetic dental treatments sought are dentures, bridgework, or
dental implants.
Dentures as a Cosmetic Dentistry Treatment
One type of cosmetic dentistry treatment that many people are familiar with are
dentures. Dentures are commonly used by those people with many missing teeth or many teeth that are in very poor health and need to be removed. Dentures are often less expensive than other types of dental treatments, but they do have their downside. Unlike dental implants or bridgework, dentures do not stay permanently in place. Additionally, many people find that they have a hard time adjusting to dentures, which can cause pain to the gums if they are not fitted properly.
Dental Implants as a Cosmetic Dentistry Treatment
Dental implants are becoming more commonly used for those people looking to replace lost or damaged teeth. A dental implant provides a prosthetic tooth (or multiple teeth) that are permanently anchored into the mouth by a rod that is placed into the jawbone. The prosthetic tooth is then placed onto the rod, anchoring the tooth permanently in place. Dental implants are a good choice for those people that do not want the hassle of dealing with dentures, and are looking for a more permanent solution to their tooth loss.
Bridgework as a Cosmetic Dentistry Treatment
Finally, we have dental bridgework. Bridgework is suitable for those patients that only have a few missing teeth, as they bridge must be anchored to healthy existing teeth. However, it is also possible for the bridge to be anchored to a dental implant as well. Bridges are permanent dental fixtures that will remain in place as long as the anchoring teeth remain healthy and do not need to be removed.