I have had this gap for years with no problems. Why deal with it now?+
Because the problem is usually silent until it isn't. Teeth shift toward an old gap slowly, and by the time you feel it, a tipped or over-erupted tooth can be cracked or hard to clean. A partial stops the movement and protects the teeth you have kept. We'll show you on your X-rays whether yours have started to drift.
Is a partial better than just leaving it?+
For most people with healthy neighboring teeth, yes, because leaving it lets those neighbors move. A partial holds the line. If your bite genuinely hasn't shifted and the spacing is stable, we'll tell you that too. We're not going to talk you into something you don't need.
Will it feel bulky?+
Modern custom partials are slimmer than the ones people remember from a generation ago. There's a short adjustment period while your tongue and cheeks learn it's there, and then most people stop noticing it.
Could the drifting teeth be fixed instead of replaced?+
Sometimes, depending on how far they have moved. That's part of what the consult sorts out. The earlier you come in, the more options you have, which is the real argument for not waiting longer.
Do you take my insurance?+
We'll check your specific plan before you commit so there are no surprises. Partials sit toward the covered end of restorative dentistry on most plans, and we have financing for the rest.