Replace Missing Teeth Gold Coast

If you are missing one or more teeth, and the situation is compromising your confidence, making it difficult to chew or even compelling you to hide your smile, here is some good news! These days, replacing teeth is easier, more affordable and more successful than ever.

You not only regain your confidence and ability to chew but often achieve beautiful cosmetic results that make you want to never stop smiling!
Below, we will address three main options for replacing missing teeth in our Gold Coast dental practice and answer some of the most common questions about each treatment.

 

• Dental implants
• A dental bridge
• Dentures

Dental implants

 

On the Gold Coast, dental implants are considered the gold standard – the number one option – when it comes to replacing missing teeth because the results are predictable and excellent.

 

What is a dental implant?

 

A dental implant is simply a tooth that is held in place in your jaw by a titanium screw. It looks like, and works in a way very similar to, a natural tooth and delivers exceptional results.
The treatment takes place in two stages:
A. The dental implant fixture (titanium screw) is placed in the jawbone using a pain-free and conservative surgical procedure under local anaesthetic.
B. A few months after the implant is placed, the main tooth crown is screwed onto it to achieve the final results.

 

Dental implants can replace anything from one tooth to a full set. In a full jaw restoration, all teeth are placed on dental implants in the jaw. The number of dental implants can differ in individual cases.

At Trusted Dental, we provide quality dental implant restoration to restore your function and provide you with a confident smile for many years. We have multiple interest-free payment plans to assist our patients and make the replacement of missing teeth on the Gold Coast more affordable than ever.
We also offer complimentary dental implant consultations where we can discuss your situation with you and present all the options to replace missing teeth. We will take the time to understand your unique situation and answer all your questions.

 

To learn more about dental implants, click here to visit our comprehensive dental implant guide.

 

Click Here to Book a Free Missing Teeth Replacement Consultation

 

A dental bridge

A dental bridge is the second-best option to replace missing teeth on the Gold Coast.This option will provide you with a fixed tooth which is anchored to one or both adjacent teeth.

For this to happen, the anchor teeth need to be prepared for crowns. In some circumstances, there is no need for crown preparations and more conservative preps can be done. One of these designs is placement of a wing on the back of the adjacent tooth to hold the replacing prosthetic tooth in place (a “Maryland bridge”).

A dental bridge may be less preferable option to a dental implant, as it involves preparing the adjacent tooth/teeth so they will hold the false tooth in place.

To learn more about dental bridges, click here to visit our dental bridge page.

 

Click Here to Book a Free Missing Teeth Replacement Consultation

Dentures

Dentures are the oldest and most conventional way to replace missing teeth. Dentures are removable devices that utilize remaining teeth (if any) for retention and anchoring, and they rely on the gums for support.

Dentures can be either full or partial. Full dentures replace all missing teeth in a jaw and completely rely on gums for retention and support.
Partial dentures rely on both gums and teeth for support and retention and come in different shapes and designs.

In most cases, and if possible, it is best that missing teeth are replaced with fixed options (dental implants or dental bridge) as they provide far superior results with regard to chewing, aesthetics and speech.

 

Frequently asked questions in regards to replacing missing teeth

 

1.Are payment plans available to replace missing teeth?

Yes, at Trusted Dental we offer multiple payment plans from 6 to 36 months. These payment plans are interest free and often no deposit is required*. In some instances, superannuation can also be released to assist with the replacement of missing teeth.

2. Is one dental implant required to replace each missing tooth?

Although it is ideal to replace each missing tooth with one dental implant, often multiple teeth can be replaced using two or more implants. Every situation is different, though, and some investigation is required to determine how many implants will be required. The number will depend on how many teeth are missing. More information is available in our comprehensive dental implant guide or from your dentist.

3. How long will it take to replace missing teeth using dental implants?

This depends on the quality of the jawbone and also if teeth have to be removed prior to dental implant surgery.
Usually if the teeth have already been removed and already missing after 3-4 months the implant retained tooth will be in place. This time is needed to make sure bone has completely attached to the dental implant. Read more about dental implants here:

4. Can a broken/cracked unsavable tooth be replaced immediately using a dental implant?

Yes, it is possible to remove and replace the tooth immediately with a dental implant. However, your dentist needs to investigate thoroughly to make sure this is a good approach and won’t affect the long-term success of your dental implant.

5. What is the cost of replacing a missing tooth using a dental implant on the Gold Coast?

Depending on the complexity and position of the dental implant, the cost is about $2,250 to $2,750 for stage one, which is the implant (fixture screw) placement in the jawbone. The fee is usually the same for the second stage, when the final crown is screwed on top of the dental implant. The total cost is approximately $4750 to $5250, depending on the location of the missing tooth/teeth and the bone quality.

6. How many teeth can be replaced using a dental bridge?

Ideally, a dental bridge replaces one tooth or a maximum of two teeth. However, in some circumstances, a longer span bridge is possible. The decision will depend on factors such as the quality of the teeth on each side of the bridge, location in the mouth, and the direction of chewing forces.

7. I have a dental bridge. How is it possible to clean/floss under the false teeth that have replaced the missing teeth?

Although a dental bridge is designed so that the risk of a food trap is minimal, regular cleaning under the false tooth/teeth is required to keep the gums and adjacent teeth healthy. This is normally achieved using special small brushes (interdental brushes) and a special floss (super-floss).
Your dentist at Trusted Dental Gold Coast will give you a through demonstration of how to clean under your dental bridge.

8. What is the cost of replacing missing teeth on the Gold Coast using a dental bridge?

The cost of a dental bridge depends on the size of the gap, the number of teeth being replaced and the material used.
Generally, the cost of a two-unit dental bridge is $2,750; a three-unit bridge, $4,500; and a four-unit bridge, $5,500.

9. What is the best option to replace missing teeth on the Gold Coast?

Dental implants are considered by far the best option to replace missing teeth. Under some circumstances, however, a dental implant may not be suitable. In these situations, a dental bridge or dentures may be more suitable.

10. What happens if missing teeth are not replaced?

Apart from the cosmetics and lost ability to chew on the missing teeth, below are some of the most common negative consequences of not replacing missing teeth:
● The teeth adjacent to the missing area will often move and tilt towards the gap. This can change the whole bite pattern and lead to further complications and food packing.
● Often, missing teeth lead to visible facial collapse, which creates noticeable change in the cheek area.
● The opposing tooth to the missing tooth area will often start to move towards the gap (super-eruption), leading to unfavourable changes in contact with the adjacent teeth, and food packing and a higher chance of tooth decay.

11. I am having some teeth removed. What is the best time to replace the missing teeth?

It is best to replace missing teeth within the first year. This is particularly true when teeth are replaced using dental implants as the loss of bone after teeth removal is greatest in the first year. This also minimizes the risk of the unfavourable changes outlined in question 9.

12. Can I use my superannuation to replace my missing teeth?

Yes, depending on your individual situation, you can use your super to improve your oral health. The release of super is subject to approval and has a process which our friendly team at Trusted Dental will happily assist you with.

13. What are the advantages and disadvantages of dentures?

The main advantages of dentures are the lower cost and the greater ease of adding teeth and repair. It is often a more affordable option compared to fixed options; however, it comes with some disadvantages.
The main disadvantages of dentures are:
● Excessive forces on anchorage teeth (partial dentures) can lead to bone loss, gum disease and often mobility of these teeth, which can lead to early loss of these teeth.
● The retentive arms on anchorage teeth and under the base of dentures can become trap areas for food and dental plaque. This can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Extra oral hygiene measures are needed to keep these areas clean.
● Dentures (especially full lower dentures) often provide poor retention. It can be embarrassing if they move when talking or can make chewing food difficult.
● Poorly designed dentures can lead to further bone loss.
● Dentures need to be removed daily for thorough cleaning.

14. What are the advantages and disadvantages of dental bridges?

Advantages of dental bridges:
● A dental bridge is a fixed option which will not move during talking and chewing.
● Strong and dependable for chewing and can stand chewing forces like normal teeth do.
● Excellent cosmetic results.
● Quick turnaround. A dental bridge can often be made as fast as one week to replace missing teeth.
Main disadvantages of a dental bridge:
● Needs preparation and modification of adjacent teeth. If these teeth are healthy and have no restorations, it is often much better to avoid dental bridges and consider a dental implant instead.
● It can sometimes be difficult to clean under a dental bridge, especially at the back of the mouth.

15. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a dental implant to replace missing teeth?

Dental implants are the gold standard for replacing missing teeth. The main advantages of dental implants are:
● They don’t attach to any other teeth. They use the titanium screw in the bone similar to a natural tooth’s root as support.
● They provide excellent aesthetic results like a natural tooth coming out of the gum.
● The implant-supported crowns are very strong; it’s as easy to chew food as it is with natural teeth.
● The dental implant supports the bone and prevents further bone loss and recession.
Main disadvantages of a dental implant:
● They require enough bone support to be placed. Sometimes, in severe jawbone loss situations, further grafting is required. This can lead to longer treatment times.
● They generally require longer treatment times as the bone needs to fuse to the implant. It may take 3-4 months before the implant can be restored with a final crown.
● They might not be suitable if certain medical conditions are present. Your dentist will discuss this in detail with you.