Close that gap!

Which solution is best to replace a missing tooth?

Sometimes the inevitable happens and the best option is to have a tooth removed. Tooth loss can be due to tooth decay, trauma or gum disease, but the important thing is to close the gap as soon as possible to avoid further complications. Losing a tooth can be a very emotional issue and it is best to be prepared for this unpleasant scenario. When the tooth is finally out it is time to weigh up your options.

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a) Removable Denture

• 2-5 visits
• Remove and clean after meals
• Least expensive way to replace a tooth
• Last 5-10 years
• R1500-R3500 depending on plastic or metal frame
• Can cause wear to adjacent teeth; not always very esthetic. Is removable and do not prevent bone loss

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b) Fixed Dental Bridge

• 2 Visits
• Clean daily after meals with special floss
• Very esthetic tooth replacement
• Last 5-20 years
• Cost R8000-R10000 depending on material used (3 unit)
• If one of the attached teeth fails, the entire bridge fails

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c) Fixed Dental Implant

• 3 – 4 visits
• Clean daily as usual with brush & floss
• Most natural 'look and feel' and prevent bone loss
• Last a lifetime if no infection (95% success rate over 40 years)
• Cost R14000 – R18000 depending on individual complexity
• Best long-term solution, no reduction of adjacent teeth, help preservebone, prevent aging of facial structures,3% failure rate, screws can loosen, involves minor surgery

Video on DRAMATIC EVENTS that follows after losing a tooth:

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Losing a toothtoday can easily be dealt with, but the best is still to prevent tooth loss if possible.
Many patients that lack proper dental education or due to financial reasonswill choose to leave a gap and often only attend to this at a later stage in life. This can have dramatic and very expensive results as seen in the video.
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If you are in the unlikely situation that you have to have your tooth removed, please do your best to close the space as soon as possible to prevent the snowball of events that often happen afterwards.