Missing A Tooth? Single Tooth Denture Options

You’ve lost a single tooth and now you need to find some way to replace it. You could just leave it as is but you risk developing issues that can affect your health and wellbeing.

For example, depending on where the gap in your mouth is from the missing tooth, it may have an impact on your smile and outward appearance.

Or, the gap could result in problems drinking, eating and speaking. You may have problems sleeping and that will have an overall effect on your alertness and how you function during the day.

However, there are several different denture options for single teeth available in order to provide either a temporary or permanent solution to the missing tooth. Here we discuss some of the different false teeth options available:

1. Do-It-Yourself Single False Teeth

There are several creative ways to fashion temporary false teeth. Here we outline some of the different DIY single false tooth options available:

FIMO Soft Clay

You could spend as little as $5 on a package of FIMO soft clay and do what Henry Kroll did. He posted a short YouTube video where he took the clay, shaped it into teeth, baked it until it hardened and then glued the teeth into place.

He does not recommend you glue them yourself as he did, but you can still watch his video here:

Make Your Own Dentures With DVD instructions

Another way to make a single tooth denture is by using about $25 worth of materials you can find in your home. Gary Rhyne has devised a kit you can order online that will include DVD instructions on how you can make your own dentures.

Basically, all you do is make an impression of your gums using plaster. You then mold wax over the top of the plaster mold to get the right fit. Then you fit the teeth in place (which you order online from Rhyne). By using dental wax to hold the teeth in place, this provides a good fit for your mouth and keeps the acrylic denture teeth in place.

See Gary’s YouTube video below:

Cheap Single False Tooth Using Craft Beads

Craft beads made of a poly material will cost you about $12 in an art supply store.

Adding them to a glass of hot water makes them soft enough to form by hand into the shape of a tooth or teeth. A warmed butter knife assists with forming, and once you have the shape you desire, trim to fit with scissors. This makes a realistic single false tooth you can use until you can see a dentist.

To see how to do this online watch this video:

Temptooth Temporary Tooth Replacement

One more bead melting option is a product named Temptooth.

Much like the craft beads project above, you melt and form the beads into the shape of a one tooth denture by hand. Once cooled, it turns white and can be colored to match the rest of your teeth.

Just as the name implies, it is nothing more than a fast fix to create a ‘temporary’ tooth for a short period of time. But it can produce a good result that may be sufficient until you see your dentist.

Learn more about Temptooth here.

2. Dental Implants

This option is intended to be a longer-lasting denture for one tooth or for several teeth.

In the world of dental implants, there are two main categories. They are called endosseous and subperiosteal depending on placement.

The endosseous style uses a screw or cylinder that is inserted into the jawbone. This method is extremely effective but time-consuming as your jaw requires healing and it may take six months or so before a single tooth can be installed onto the screw.

Subperiosteal implants use a metal frame that sits on top of the jawbone but under the gum line. This is an easier procedure than the endosseous option but involves impressions and plate designs that will take some time to create and fit into your mouth properly.

There are also mini implants and they get their name simply from their size. Using mostly an endosseous method of insertion, mini implants are used if space between teeth is narrow or if there is not enough tissue in the jaw for full-sized implants, and are commonly used to replace smaller teeth.

The cost of dental implants for one or more teeth depends on several factors. They range from where you live in the world to how much work is required to complete the procedure.

3. Partial Dentures

Where a full denture is typically used to replace several or a row of missing teeth, a partial denture can be a good choice as a denture for one tooth or can be used to replace multiple teeth. Made from either an acrylic plastic or metal alloy, a partial denture is kept in place by tiny clasps.

The clasps or clips are either wrapped around or sit snuggly against other teeth or are connected to the jawbone to hold them firmly. With ongoing changes taking place with your teeth and gums, partial dentures may require refitting over time.

A removable partial denture for one tooth offers several benefits in addition to completing your smile. Where a one tooth partial is most beneficial is that they are designed to work with and fit alongside existing teeth. In other words, healthy teeth do not need to be removed in order to accommodate this dental appliance.

However, some people may experience some movement and other issues with partial dentures. See the video below for an outline of some of the problems experienced…

4. Flexible Partial Dentures

Advances in technology have led to the development of a more comfortable and less rigid alternative to traditional partial dentures. Where regular dentures are made from an acrylic compound, the flexible version of them is made from a nylon-like material.

There are several advantages to this type of material used for a dental appliance. In addition to being softer and providing a better fit, nylon is virtually unbreakable. Regular partials and full denture plates can chip or break when dropped.

Another common material used in flexible dentures is a vinyl composite which is one of the more common choices due to how easy they are to adjust. Also, flexible partial dentures are easier to clean and keep clean compared to traditional denture material.

Flexible partial dentures are affordable compared to most other denture options and are virtually invisible when they are in place. They are also comfortable to wear, long-lasting and are generally considered non-allergenic.

They are often used to replace multiple missing teeth but can be used to replace a single tooth also.

As these dentures are non-invasive, they are a popular choice for many.

For a more in-depth look at flexible dentures, click here. And see a brief summary of Flexible Partial Dentures in the video below:

Which Single Denture Option Is The Best?

Because there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all single tooth denture replacement, you have to investigate each to find the best fit for replacing your missing tooth.

You can easily use one of the do-it-yourself options until you can see a dentist to have a more permanent replacement, which is why we have included these here. The DIY options may be great if you need a single tooth option in a hurry, or you are a bit low on funds and you need an affordable option to keep you going until you can see your dentist. The DIY dentures are generally much cheaper than the professionally-made denture options, which is one of the main reasons why they are popular choices.

It is best to consult with your dental professional before choosing which replacement to get. Your dentist will be able to assist you in weighing out the pros and cons, costs and which would suit you best considering your lifestyle and budget.