Sometimes, due to trauma or severe decay, it is not possible to save a compromised tooth. When this happens, you may opt to replace the missing tooth with a dental implant. Not all dental implant cases are the same, however. Some might require extensive bone and gum grafting, and others can be completed fairly quickly. However your treatment progresses, if your implant is in your smile zone then you may need a temporary solution to the missing tooth while your implant heals and integrates with the bone, as healing can take from 4-6 months. 

That's a long time to have to spend with a gap in your smile. Fortunately, there are a number of temporary smile solutions to tide you over until your implant has healed. 

A Maryland Bridge

The Maryland bridge consists of a pontic (a false tooth), which has two metal wings on either side. These metal wings are bonded to the backs of the teeth on either side of the false tooth to ensure the pontic remains in place. 

While this is an effective temporary solution while your implant heals, it does have one drawback: the metal wings attached to the backs of your natural teeth on either side cause those teeth to darken, and thus those natural teeth may look out of place in your smile. 

Temporary Implants

Temporary implants consist of a bonded temporary tooth, which sits on a temporary abutment. This procedure is also used by dentists to protect the surgical space in which the permanent implant will be placed once healing has occurred. 

Dental Flipper/Removable Partial Denture

Flippers (dentures) get their name from the way in which some patients are able to use their tongue to flip the appliance in and out of place. This solution consists of an acrylic, gum-colored denture with one or more prosthetic teeth set into it. Most dental flippers clip onto the teeth on either side of the mouth to keep them in place, and can be used for eating as long as you don't bite down on anything too hard, which may cause the false tooth to break. 

Essix Retainer

This option is the most cost effective of the temporary solutions available to you. An Essix retainer resembles an Invisalign tray as it fits over your teeth and is almost completely invisible. However, the main difference in this case is that a temporary tooth will be placed into the Essix retainer by your dentist to serve as a temporary cosmetic solution, while at the same time protecting the implant site as it heals. 

If you are considering replacing a tooth with an implant, discuss the above options with your dentist beforehand. Together, you can decide upon the choice that best suits your situation, both financially and personally.