Teeth are very important, both for your general look and for your dental health. If you are missing one or more teeth, that can affect the way you chew, speak, and smile. You could say that the loss of a tooth is not a big problem, but it is. The lack of teeth can change the way your face looks (teeth play an important role in the structure of your mouth) and can affect the way the rest of your teeth bite together. Replacing missing teeth will allow you to eat more comfortably, speak more clearly, and smile with confidence.
There are many causes of tooth loss:
- Not brushing and flossing correctly (brush and floss at least 2 times per day, last time before going to bed) – this can lead to cavities and gum disease.
- Bad nutrition – for example, eating too much sugar (both in food and drinks).
- Some medicines and drugs –for example, treatment for chemotherapy can weaken your immune system, which can affect your teeth.
- Tooth injury – may be caused by grinding your teeth, by chewing on pencils, or by cracking nuts or ice cubes.
We must do our best in order to avoid tooth loss. But the good news is that in case we have missing teeth, there are a couple of solutions. Your dentist will recommend the best solution according to your needs. The solution depends on the number of your missing teeth, it depends on which teeth are missing, and on the condition of your remaining teeth.
Below you can see three options your dentist may suggest:
Fixed bridges
A bridge consists of two crowns, which are placed on your natural teeth, with a false tooth in the middle. It is cemented into place.
Advantages: a dental bridge looks and feels natural, it doesn’t require removal for cleaning, and it costs less than an implant.
A disadvantage can be that a bridge may damage the teeth that support it. And it may not last as long as an implant.
Removable dentures
Dentures can be easily removed from the mouth for cleaning. This option is less expensive, but it doesn’t look as natural as the other two options. Moreover, it is less stable and can be uncomfortable to wear.
Dental implant
An implant has two main parts: the crown and the root (titanium), which is inside the bone. A dental implant replaces a single tooth without affecting the health of neighboring teeth. Implants are recommended for patients with good general health. One disadvantage is that it is a more expensive dental procedure.
To conclude, it may happen that you lose one or more teeth during your life. This may be awkward and frustrating, but you must keep in mind that there are solutions. In case you identify with the article above, or if you know someone who has missing teeth, do not hesitate to contact Dr. Arhiri. You can also contact us in case you need more information regarding the topic discussed. We are here to help.
References:
https://www.perio.org/consumer/single-tooth-implant
http://www.deardoctor.com/dental-implants/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tooth_loss