Fix Missing Teeth

Sometimes, due to neglect, accidents, or things beyond our control, people lose teeth. Depending on where in the mouth the tooth is missing, this can be embarrassing, inconvenient, or even damaging. If you’re missing one or more front teeth, you may choose to replace these teeth with a removable partial denture. While a removable partial denture may improve the appearance of your smile, sometimes, these dentures are held in place with metal clasps that may be occasionally visible. Removable partial dentures may also shift in the mouth when speaking or eating, which may lead to discomfort. Dentists recommend that patients who use a removable partial denture remove their denture at night, to soak in a cleaning solution. These replacement teeth are an economical and noninvasive way to replace one or more missing teeth in a row. A temporary denture is often a short-term solution when a tooth is missing and is similar to a removable partial denture, though a temporary denture, or flipper, is used to replace a single missing tooth. Your dentist may use a flipper if the area where your tooth is missing is damaged and needs to heal before a permanent implant or bridge can be placed. Temporary dentures are less sturdy than removable partial dentures and are used almost exclusively as a stopgap replacement while waiting for a longer-term solution. No adjacent teeth are modified or damaged when placing a temporary denture.

If there are healthy, sturdy teeth on either side of a missing tooth, your dentist may use a bridge to replace your teeth. A bridge is cemented into the mouth and is therefore a fixed, or permanent, solution for missing teeth. To cement a bridge in place, your dentist will first file down the adjacent teeth so that they can each accommodate a crown. These crowns are used as the ends of a dental bridge and are cemented in place, connected by the synthetic teeth in the dental bridge. Dental bridges may provide a quick and economical solution for missing teeth, though they are not without their drawbacks. It can be challenging to floss in and around a dental bridge; dentists recommend using floss threaders to keep the area around the bridge clean and free from debris and bacteria. To successfully place a bridge, dentists need to file down and thereby damage teeth that may be otherwise perfectly healthy, and bridges in the lower jaw may break more quickly than they should, since the bridge is unbendable and is working against flexible bone. When this happens, decay or bacteria may seep into the adjacent crowns and cause decay. If the teeth that are adjacent to a gap caused by missing teeth are damaged themselves, it may be best to have a dental bridge installed, since the crown that is placed on the adjacent teeth can strengthen and reinforce these teeth. A dental bridge can easily replace two missing teeth, and, with sufficient support, may be used to replace even more missing teeth in a row.

Dental implants are the preferred way to replace missing teeth, for an array of reasons. Dental implants behave most like the natural teeth and function similarly while eating or brushing. They also look most like natural teeth. The dental implant replaces the root of the missing tooth, and the bone heals around the implant for several months. Once the bone has healed to the implant, your dentist will place an attachment to the top of the implant, called an abutment, to which a dental crown is then attached. This procedure affects only the area where the implant is to be placed, and all other teeth are left intact. Because the implant replaces the tooth root and fuses into the bone, the bone itself is supported, creating a sturdy, healthy foundation for the crown and preventing bone degradation. An implant can replace a single missing tooth, and multiple implants may be used to replace several missing teeth. There is no way to determine a dental implant from a natural tooth based on sight alone, so no one will suspect you of having an artificial tooth when you’re smiling or talking. Dental implants may also be cleaned and otherwise treated the same way as a natural tooth. Of course, since the bone and gum surrounding an implant is still live tissue, the crown supported by the implant must be brushed and flossed regularly along with the natural teeth.

All of these solutions presuppose that you are bothered by your missing tooth. Of course, doing nothing is always a solution as well. It is important to understand the risks of leaving a missing tooth alone, however. When a tooth’s root is removed from the jaw bone, the surrounding bone gradually degrades, causing the surrounding teeth to shift into the gap where the tooth is missing. This may create a jammed area of crowded teeth that are difficult to clean, and it may also lead to decay around the existing teeth. This may also lead to a sunken appearance in the mouth and jaw, which can dramatically age a person. Ignoring a missing tooth is likely to lead to medical, mechanical, and aesthetic repercussions. To avoid these problems, see your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings, and be sure to schedule an appointment if you lose a tooth, no matter the reason, as soon as you can. Quick treatment may prevent future complications.

More about Fixing Teeth : Fix Broken Teeth