When you suffer tooth loss, it’s easy to feel desperate. Many people want to fill the gaps in their grins as soon as possible. That said, you still shouldn’t resort to do-it-yourself solutions. The truth is that DIY replacement teeth aren’t safe. Given their risks, it’s best to see a dentist for restorative treatment. Your St. Johns dental practice will even outline the details. Read on to learn about DIY replacement teeth, their dangers, and why to leave tooth restorations to dentists.
Context: What are DIY Replacement Teeth?
Thanks to social media, many people now tout a wide range of self-made dental care options. A few examples of these “alternative” services are DIY replacement teeth.
DIY replacement teeth (per their name) are store-bought substitutes for your pearly whites. They’re often praised online as cheaper than standard prosthetics. Similarly, such products seem accessible – you can easily find them through websites and drugstores. The items even get advertised on YouTube, TikTok, and other Internet sites.
Overall, DIY replacement teeth fall into three groups:
- Melted Polymers – These beads can be melted due to their polymer material. From there, you could mold them to look like teeth.
- Moldable Wax or Paste – Like a melted polymer product, moldable wax (or paste) is a soft material. However, it can be shaped without melting anything.
- Orthodontic Wax – Some people use chunks of orthodontic wax to cover a lost tooth’s socket.
DIY “Teeth” Are Dangerous
DIY tooth replacements aren’t safe, despite claims to the contrary. They nearly always cause oral issues and don’t help in the long run.
Firstly, these DIY “teeth” use unsafe ingredients. Most of them aren’t approved by the FDA. That means putting them in your mouth could cause toxic side effects.
Similarly, note that the products won’t stop tooth loss’ effects. Things like polymers and waxes don’t keep your jaw from losing bone density. These items also aren’t sturdy enough to prevent other teeth from tilting or falling out.
Leave Tooth Restoration to Dentists
In light of their dangers, DIY replacement teeth aren’t worth using. It’s a far better move to get restorative work from a dentist.
For starters, a dentist’s options use safe materials. Even standard dentures use non-toxic acrylic and ceramics. To that extent, new teeth from a dental practice won’t harm your body.
Dentists’ restoration services are also highly effective. Today’s dentures and dental bridges look very lifelike. Meanwhile, dental implants fuse with your jaw and thus work like natural teeth do.
With all that said, DIY replacement teeth aren’t safe. Get reliable restorations from your local dentist instead!
About the Practice
Julington Creek Family Dentistry is based in St. Johns, FL. Led by Dr. Jonathan H. Cohen, our practice strives to give each patient a truly dreamy smile. We thus offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, as well as emergency dental care. Naturally, this range of treatments also includes excellent replacement teeth for your grin! For more details or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (904)-230-2961.