Dr. Katie To explains reversible options for missing teeth today: removable partial dentures and composite bridges bonded to adjacent teeth, both requiring no tooth removal or anesthesia. Digital smile design can make them look natural. She's optimistic that future science may let patients regrow their own teeth.
At that time, they have an option of either getting a partial denture, something that you can clip in and then take it out every day, something that can be bonded. It could be a composite bonded to two teeth next to it. Wouldn't have to remove any tooth structure. And that will actually, these days, with the digital smile design, is really a good option because number one, it doesn't harm any teeth. It's non-invasive. Patient didn't have to be numb for that procedure. It is reversible because I still very hopeful that one day in the future we can grow teeth back. 20 years, 30 years ago, if you talk about anything we have today, people are like, you must be dreaming. But here we are living that dream. We can do so much more with technology and research and improvement in science and health. We want to be able to protect and hold that space for patients. In the future, they can still regrow their teeth.
