Losing teeth as a child is normal. It means making room for new teeth to appear that will later become permanent. But when an adult has a missing tooth, that’s a problem.
As an adult, once you lose a tooth, it’s gone forever! No new tooth will grow back. Losing teeth is a symptom of an issue, if unrelated to trauma, and if left untreated can lead to further oral health deterioration.
More About Tooth Loss
1. Tooth decay and gum disease
Besides destroying the aesthetics of your smile, tooth gaps contribute to tooth decay and gum diseases. If your teeth start to lean toward the gap, you’ll have a hard time with hard-to-reach-areas while brushing and flossing. This can lead to bacterial deposits, which may have a systemic effect that leads to heart disease or diabetes.
2. Misaligned teeth
Your teeth are set in such a way so that they support each other. If one is missing, the teeth will grow haphazardly due to misalignment. The missing tooth can cause adjacent teeth to lean and shift into the gap. This ruins the natural alignment of teeth, causing a crooked smile, bite problems, jaw problems, or headaches.
3. Bone loss
Your teeth and the teeth roots help support your jaw bone and stimulate growth. When a patient loses one or more teeth, the jaw bone no longer gets the stimulation it needs to grow. With time, this can shrink the jaw, which prevents it from supporting the remaining teeth. This eventually alters the shape of your face structure and smile.
Options For Replacing Missing Teeth
You can’t grow a permanent tooth, but you can certainly replace one. There are many options to fix a missing tooth. With the advent of technology and dental studies, it’s possible to replace a missing tooth nowadays with prosthetics.
Let’s explore the options:
1. Dental implants
Dental implants are a reliable solution to replace your missing teeth. A titanium screw is placed into your jaw and on top of it sits a dental crown that looks like a natural tooth. Implants look and function like a natural tooth and can last for a lifetime if properly cared for.
2. Implant-supported bridge
If you’re missing multiple teeth, your dentist may suggest a fixed implant-supported bridge that provides you a result that lasts for a long time. Unlike traditional dentures, a dental implant bridge is more comfortable and offers better stability. The bridge looks and feels like your natural teeth, too, so that’s another plus.
3. Implant-supported denture
This option is best supported for patients with several missing teeth or with loose dentures. In that case, an implant-supported denture is your best solution. It involves placing a complete set of teeth of dental implants and then fixing the denture to the gum. With proper care and oral hygiene, the implant-support denture can last for a very long time.
4. Denture
While other methods may be expensive, dentures are the most cost-effective solution that provides immediate results and satisfaction for your missing teeth. They are completely removable and can mimic your natural tooth color.
Consult Our Dentist In Charlotte, NC
Before weighing in your dental restoration options, it’s best to consult our dentist, Dr. Khalil Mjahed. Dr. Mjahed is a proud member of the American Dental Association, the North Carolina Dental Society, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and a fellow at the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.
To know more about our Dr. K, visit District Dentistry and schedule an online appointment or give us a call on 704-910-5006.
