Many people are reluctant to get dental implants and other forms of professional tooth replacement because they’re worried about the cost. As such, it’s likely no surprise that DIY solutions for missing teeth have grown increasingly popular in recent years. But is this really a safe choice for your smile? Here’s what you should know before you commit to any DIY tooth replacement options.
What DIY Tooth Replacement Options are Available?
There are plenty of DIY tooth replacement products on the market, but they can generally be divided into three categories:
- Melted Polymers: Melted polymers are essentially special beads that are meant to be melted and molded into toothlike shapes before being placed in the mouth.
- Moldable Wax: Moldable wax tooth replacements are similar to melted polymers except they can be shaped right away without having to be melted first.
- Orthodontic Wax: Orthodontic wax is supposed to be used to cover brackets and wires that are irritating the soft tissues inside the mouth, but some people use the substance to fill in the gaps in their smiles where teeth used to be.
What Issues Can DIY Replacement Teeth Cause?
The fact of the matter is that DIY tooth replacements can cause more problems than they fix. Many of them are not made using FDA-approved ingredients, making them potentially unsafe to put in your mouth. Moreover, it can be all too easy for food and bacteria to get caught around DIY replacement teeth, which can significantly increase your risk for gum disease and other oral health issues.
It should also be noted that these products often do not serve particularly well as replacement teeth. They rarely look natural and can easily end up standing out for the wrong reasons. Additionally, many DIY replacement teeth are not meant to stay in the mouth when you’re eating, meaning they’re effectively useless for helping you chew your food.
Finally, while some people try to claim a DIY replacement tooth can be a permanent solution for an incomplete smile, the truth of the matter is that such products are only meant to be used temporarily until the patient can be treated by a professional.
Why are Dental Implants a Better Option?
When it comes to replacing missing teeth, dental implants are a far better option than anything you can buy at the store. For one thing, they can act as artificial tooth roots, allowing them to actively fight against bone loss in the jaw. They also help ensure that your replacement teeth always stay in place, and they provide enough chewing power to handle any kind of food. And of course, the restorations supported by the dental implants will be carefully designed to blend in seamlessly with your natural teeth.
If you’re ready to fill in the empty space in your mouth, don’t make the mistake of relying on DIY solutions. Instead, schedule an appointment with your periodontist to find out whether dental implants are a good choice for you.
About the Author
Dr. David Handsman studied periodontology at the University of Tennessee. Over the course of his career, he has earned Diplomate status with the American Board of Periodontology, and he’s part of the International Team for Implantology. He can help his patients reclaim complete smiles with a variety of dental implant procedures, including implant dentures. To schedule a comprehensive periodontal evaluation with Dr. Handsman at Handsman & Haddad Periodontics in Worcester, visit his website or call (508) 753-5444.
