Your options for replacing missing teeth
Losing a tooth affects more than your smile. The teeth around the gap can shift, chewing becomes harder, and the jawbone under the space begins to shrink. Bathurst Centre Dental Care offers every tooth replacement option, including implants, bridges and dentures, at our Thornhill clinic serving Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill and North York.
Why consider tooth replacement?
When a tooth or several teeth are lost prematurely due to decay, fracture or gum disease, a gap is formed between adjacent teeth. When the gap is not filled, the surrounding teeth may shift into the open space, changing the appearance of your smile or resulting in teeth that are out of alignment. A missing tooth may also place additional stress on the rest of the teeth and the jaw joint (TMJ) and cause oral health problems that require more extensive rehabilitation or cosmetic dentistry. Missing teeth also lead to bone loss in the jaw, because the bone is no longer stimulated by a tooth root.
How can I get a tooth replaced?
There are three main methods of tooth replacement. Learn more about each below.
Dental implants
An implant post is placed in the jawbone and a crown is attached on top. Implants are the most conservative option because neighbouring teeth are untouched, and the only option that helps prevent further bone loss. About implants.
Bridges
A bridge is made of several crowns linked together and cemented permanently onto the teeth on either side of the gap. A bridge does not prevent bone loss, but it is a good fixed option for patients who are not candidates for implants. About bridges.
Dentures
One or more replacement teeth on a removable frame supported by the gums or remaining teeth. Dentures can also be anchored to implants for extra stability. About dentures.
How do the options compare?
Each option has trade-offs. Your dentist will help you weigh them for your situation.
Longest lasting
Feels most like a natural tooth and preserves bone. Needs minor surgery and a few months of healing. Highest upfront cost.
Fixed and faster
Completed in a few weeks with no surgery. Requires reshaping the neighbouring teeth to hold the crowns.
Most affordable
Usually the lowest upfront cost and can replace many teeth at once. Removable, and may need relining as the gums change.
What is the best way to replace my missing teeth?
Implants are the most conservative tooth replacement option. However, depending on factors such as the amount of bone available, your overall health and your budget, you may not be a candidate for implants, or a bridge or denture may suit you better. Book a free consultation and we will examine your mouth, take any X-rays needed and help you determine the best way to replace your teeth so you can eat and smile with confidence again.
Tooth replacement FAQs
Ideally, planning starts before or soon after the extraction. An implant can sometimes be placed at the same time as the extraction or after a few months of healing. Bridges and dentures are usually made after the gum has healed, typically a few weeks to a few months. Waiting years allows bone loss and shifting that can make replacement more complex.
A removable partial denture usually has the lowest upfront cost, followed by a bridge, then an implant. Over the long term an implant can be the better value because it does not rely on neighbouring teeth and rarely needs replacing. We will give you a written estimate for each option before you decide.
Yes. For a visible front tooth we can provide a temporary replacement, such as a removable flipper or a temporary bridge, so you are never without a tooth while the implant heals.
The teeth on either side tilt into the space, the opposing tooth grows down into the gap, chewing shifts to the other side, and the jawbone under the space shrinks. These changes are gradual but make later treatment harder, so replacing even a back tooth is worthwhile.
The CDCP covers complete and partial dentures for eligible patients. Ask us about coverage for bridges and implants under your specific situation. CDCP at our clinic.
Yes. Two or more implants can support a bridge, and a small number of implants can anchor a full denture so it no longer slips. You do not need one implant for every missing tooth.
Does my insurance cover tooth replacement?
Coverage will vary policy to policy. Bridges and dentures are often partially covered under major restorative services; implant coverage is less common. We can review your policy with you and confirm what is covered when you come in for an appointment.
I have undergone tooth extraction six months ago after severe dental infection and large abscess formation. Two weeks ago I have undergone dental implantology together with a minir bone grafting procedure done the same day of the implantology procedure. The day after I had severe swelling and bruises on my face that lasted for about 3 days and then started going down. All ifs fine now except that I still feel some elevation in the jaw bone in the area around the implant and the surrounding tooth. It is hard and doesn’t seem as a soft tissue or swelling. I am concerned that more than required bone graft was added and wonder if it’s going to heal with time
Hi Salma, swelling and bruises are common risks after an implant and grafting procedure. I am glad to hear that the swelling is gone and there are no signs of infection. We do expect a portion of grafting material to resorb, so it is common to place more grafting material at the time of surgery. Resorption time varies between patients, so if you are unsure or have any concerns, please bring the issue up at your post-op visit with your dentist.
I needed to consult a dentist. I’m going to go to a dentist today but thought I’d rather Google the solution to my problem, as it saves money and time. I don’t have any health problems. My only problem is that one of my upper teeth is shaped slightly different than others. Its pointy unlike the one on it’s opposite side and it shows when I smile. I really want to have a perfect smile, honestly, who doesn’t? But it’s only possible if I replace that tooth with the one that fits. So what do you suggest I do? Also, it’d be really helpful if you could tell me the cost of the treatments you mention in your answer. Thank you very much and have a lovely day. 🙂
Hi Mia, if your tooth is healthy and free of gum disease or large cavities, consider less invasive procedures such as bonding or veneers instead of replacing the tooth. Please discuss your options and prices with your dentist since cost will vary depending on the procedure and your location.
Hi, I’m someone who takes decent care of their teeth, but over the last year, 4 of my back teeth (2 on either side) have broken off almost completely. Do you have some sort of idea as to why this would happened? And how exactly can I get it fixed without it costing me so much money (I saw that it could easily cost between $3500-$4000 for ONE tooth to be fixed, and I don’t even come close to having that much money to pay for it..).
Hi Samantha, partial dentures are a cost-effective option for replacing multiple missing teeth. However, the teeth that will support the partial denture will need to be in good shape, so you’ll want to have them assessed prior to having one fabricated. Please see a dentist to discuss your options.
Hello!
So, I had severe periodontitis disease and had to get a full set of dentures this year because my teeth weren’t salvageable. It’s all getting healed and everything is going good but I was wondering and reminiscing about what the doctor had told me before. He told me to throw away my toothbrush and all that I used for oral hygiene after getting my implants and everything, I imagine it was because of the periodontal disease I had before. Now I’m wondering, should I also throw away the lipsticks and everything I wore before? Is there a risk of cross contamination?
Thanks!
Hi Alex, we usually recommend changing your toothbrush, electric toothbrush heads and tongue scraper every 3 months anyway due to bacteria that accumulates over time. For someone with severe periodontitis or gum disease, the bacteria present tends to be more virulent. However, once all the teeth are gone, the gum-disease-causing bacteria that lives below the gum and around the roots of your teeth will not survive long.
If you are getting implants for your denture around the same time as your teeth extraction, we do recommend changing your toothbrush to avoid introducing those bacteria to your implants. Implants are susceptible to failure if the bone supporting them disappear due to growth of gum-disease-causing bacteria. When it comes to your lipsticks and others, it is rather a judgement call on your part. We do not recommend changing your utensils, glassware or China since they are made of a material that can be cleaned easily after use and are therefore less likely to be contaminated. Lipsticks and lip balm are hard to clean and relatively cheap to replace, however, they do not get as close to your oral cavities as your toothbrush. So while it may not be a bad idea to replace them, you probably do not need to worry if you didn’t replace them after the implants were placed.