When teeth reach the stage where they cannot be saved by dental treatment, extraction is necessary to prevent further health problems. Missing teeth can be uncomfortable and unsightly. Not only can missing a tooth have a drastic impact on your appearance, it can also lead to trouble eating and speaking, not to mention a range of health problems.
You might be surprised to read that missing teeth can contribute to issues such as:
- Chronic headaches
- Increased risk of gum disease
- Jaw bone shrinkage and receding gums – these problems can lead to the weakening of the teeth on each side of the missing tooth and could potentially result in more tooth loss.
It’s also important to consider that tooth decay and gum disease are linked to overall health problems such as heart disease.
If you have missing teeth, to help make your life easier and reduce the risks to your oral and general health, there are several options available from your dentist, from conventional dentures, to dental implants:
Dentures
Dentures are replacements for missing teeth and are often known as false teeth. Modern dentures are custom-made in a dental laboratory from impressions of your mouth by your dentist.
There are different types of dentures and the kind that you need will depend on how many missing teeth you have, and how long ago they were lost or extracted:
- Conventional full dentures are placed in your mouth once any remaining teeth are removed and your mouth is fully healed. Until your mouth is healed, you will be without teeth.
- Immediate full dentures are designed to be inserted into your mouth immediately after your remaining teeth are removed, so you won’t be without teeth whilst your mouth heals. However, it’s important to know that immediate dentures must be adjusted after a few months, as your jaw bone will have reshaped as it healed, resulting in loose dentures.
- Partial dentures are used to replace missing teeth, when you still have teeth remaining. They rest on a metal frame that attaches to your natural teeth, acting as a removable alternative to dental bridges. In some cases, a crown may be placed on some natural teeth to serve as anchors for a partial denture.
Bridges
Dental bridges are a permanent way of filling gaps caused by missing teeth. A bridge is a false tooth that is held in place by the teeth next to it. To look as natural as possible, bridges are usually made of a precious metal base, but with tooth-coloured porcelain bonded to any visible areas, so the bridge isn’t noticeable.
In most cases, the neighbouring teeth that a bridge will be fitted to must have crowns bonded onto them. The bridge is then cemented between them.
Bridges can be an effective solution to gaps in the teeth if the surrounding teeth are strong and in good condition.
Dental Implants
Implants are the next best thing to real teeth, providing a permanent solution to missing teeth. A dental implant is a small biocompatible metal post that is inserted directly into the jaw bone in place of a missing tooth root. Once the jaw is healed, this implant acts as an anchor for a dental crown.
Where multiple teeth are missing, implants can be used to support individual crowns, multi-tooth bridges, or even an entire denture.
Treatment for Missing Teeth
If you have gaps where teeth are missing, call Dentalia today on 01256 353033 to arrange a consultation to find the ideal solution for you.
