Dental Implants The Perfect Solution To Lost Teeth
Throughout a person’s life, you can lose teeth for various reasons. They can be lost due to tooth decay, periodontal disease, neglect, and trauma. Missing teeth can compromise your ability to eat, affect your speech, health, and esthetics.
The loss of a front tooth can have a negative effect in the following ways:
- Esthetics
- Function
- Self-Confidence
Losing a tooth towards the back of your mouth can lead to several issues, including:
- Affecting your ability to chew
- Your ability to properly clean your teeth
- Jaw collapse
- Teeth shifting
- The health of your remaining teeth
Replacing a lost tooth will prevent further issues from developing.
What Will Be The Result If Lost Teeth Are Not Replaced?
Teeth Shifting
When a tooth is lost, the teeth surrounding the loss will shift into the open space. This shifting includes both adjacent teeth as well as teeth in the opposite arch. A straight smile can quickly transform into a crooked one. Replacing a lost tooth as soon as possible can prevent this shifting from happening.
Temperomandibular Joint Issues (TMJ Disorder)
Bite issues usually develop as your teeth shift out of their normal alignment. When your teeth do not meet adequately, it can strain and damage the TMJ. This can lead to pains in the head, jaw, ears, headaches, dislocations, clicking and popping, and permanent damage to the joint.
Gum Disease
When teeth become more crowded, it makes it much harder to maintain dental hygiene. It will become harder to brush and floss certain areas. When bacteria and plaque are not removed, and build-up is allowed, the result can be increased risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease. Progressive periodontal disease can lead to further tooth loss.
Options For Replacing Missing Teeth
Patients have multiple options to replace lost teeth. They can include fixed or removable options. These options can include:
Removable Partial Dentures
Removable partial dentures are often the fastest and least expensive alternative to replace missing teeth. There are some disadvantages to removable dentures. Removable dentures work by attaching to existing teeth. This can often lead to these “anchor” teeth becoming loose, worn down, decayed, or fractured.
Bone loss will continue under the denture, which will make the denture more mobile and uncomfortable over time. Removable dentures can also be inconvenient. They can be difficult to clean after eating. Lastly, removable partial dentures have about 1/3 the chewing power and efficiency of your natural smile. This can lead to poor chewing and a lack of good nutrition in one’s diet.
Fixed Dental Bridge
It entails preparing surrounding teeth and fitting them with dental crowns to replace missing teeth. The most common type of fixed bridge is called a 3 unit bridge. This is when the two natural teeth adjacent to the missing tooth serve as anchor teeth. A dental bridge is a very stable option but does also comes with some disadvantages.
Disadvantages include:
- Removal of sound tooth structure from surrounding teeth.
- Difficulty maintaining good dental hygiene under bridges as routine flossing is not possible.
- The long-term prognosis of most dental bridges is between 8-10 years before it needs replacing. Some dental bridges will last longer.
Dental Implants
Dental implants can carry the most significant initial investment in time and money but are the most cost-effective long-term solution for replacing missing teeth. The main disadvantage is time. Following surgical placement of the dental implant, a 4-6 month healing time is typically needed before final restoration with a dental crown. Dental implants are the ideal solution for tooth replacement today.
All on 4 Dental Implants
When multiple or all teeth are lost, or if you are rapidly progressing towards a loss of all teeth. This dental implant option is an excellent choice for those patients. The best thing about this procedure is that the entire procedure is completed, and you walk out with teeth the same day. There are typically four dental implants placed and a titanium bar-supported denture placed. It is a fixed option but can be removed if needed. The most significant negatives here are the price and the post-operative possibility of bruising, discomfort while healing, and infection.
Tooth Replacement Conclusion
Losing a tooth due to trauma, dental disease, or trauma can be a big problem for various reasons. If teeth are not replaced, they can cause issues for your dental health. Replacing lost teeth as quickly as possible will save you discomfort and a more significant expense in the future.
