A missing tooth can alter the appearance of your smile, decrease your self-confidence, affect chewing patterns, cause bone loss and lower your self-esteem.
Whether the missing tooth results from tooth decay, generic condition, gum disease, or injury, a missing tooth can have severe adverse effects. The good news is that you can do something about it regardless of how you lost your tooth.
You can replace a missing tooth; it will just be like nothing’s missing. Whether it’s a permanent or a temporal replacement option, it can transform the mouth and face.
This boosts your confidence and creates a lasting impression on everyone you come across.
There are several tooth alternative options to consider, and we have outlined them all in this article.
Causes of Missing Teeth?
Having a missing tooth is not an uncommon occurrence.
According to a 2015 survey, 48% of Americans between the ages of 20 to 64 have complete permanent teeth, but nearly 1 out of every five adults over 65 years are missing all their teeth.
As mentioned earlier, a missing tooth can result from several things, including gum diseases, injuries, tooth decay, and cavities. Genetic conditions can also cause multiple tooth loss.
Genetics
Sometimes, secondary teeth do not form due to genetic malformation of the lower and upper jawbone (mandible).
This is called tooth agenesis and can occur due to certain congenital conditions.
One of such is Ectodermal dysplasia, a condition that affects the teeth but is preventable if noticed early. Patients with this tooth defect can visit a prosthodontist; these dentists have the training required to treat the defect.
Other examples of a cognitive condition that can lead to tooth loss include cleft lip and palate, a condition where there’s a split in the roof and upper lip of the mouth.
Down syndrome can also cause tooth loss.
Gum Disease
Gum disease causes spaces between the teeth and gum (pockets) and, if left untreated over time, can cause the bones and teeth to decay.
The tissues can also recede, which can lead to tooth loss.
Gingivitis is a light form of gum disease; it causes redness, inflammation, and bleeding of the gums but is easily reversible with good dental care.
Injury
You can also lose your teeth from car accidents, sports injuries, falls, and other trauma.
Ways to Replace a Missing Tooth
There are many treatment options for substituting a missing tooth.
No treatment is without its pros and cons, but your doctor can help recommend the most suitable method for your peculiar condition.
These treatment options include:
Dental Implants
A dental implant is a well-known and commonly used tooth replacement option.
It is designed to artificially replace a natural tooth. Usually, dental implants are implanted into a patient’s jawbone; it provides support for a replacement bridge, denture, or crown.
Dental implants are ideal for people with one or more tooth dentures. They are also a good treatment option for replacing front teeth as they are very durable.
Pros:
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- Dental implants are comfortable and have a natural feel
- Has a 95% success rate
- They are permanent and long-lasting
- Requires minimal maintenance
- Only affected tooth requires treatment
- Its long-life span makes it a cost-effective treatment option[/list]
Cons:
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- It is a surgical procedure, thus making it more invasive
- It’s an expensive procedure
- Requires more constant visits to the dentist than other methods[/list]
Dentures
Also called a fake tooth, a denture is a prosthetic device inserted into the teeth and anchored by the hard and soft tissues surrounding the gum. Dentures are specially designed to replace a missing tooth.
The denture design is mostly dependent on the bonding and clasps on the teeth or the dental implant. There are three common types of dentures.
These include:
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- Removable Partial Denture
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A removable partial denture comprises the replacement teeth fixed to a pink plastic or gum-colored base.
It has a metal framework and a clasp which helps the denture bond to the teeth, thus giving it a more natural look.
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- Removable Complete Denture
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This is ideal for persons requiring a tooth replacement in the mouth’s lower and upper jaw parts.
A complete removable denture helps to replace missing teeth, improves your smile, and generally improves the mouth function, including talking and eating.
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- All-On-Four Implant Supported Dentures
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All-on-four implant-support dentures describe supporting the jaw’s arch with four dental implants only for a lower denture, while the upper jaw arch is reinforced with six implants.
The treatment involves having implants already occupied by the front teeth, but the implants are then infused in front of the arch.
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Pros
- It helps improve pronunciation and speech
- Enhances self-esteem
- Enhances a person’s chewing and eating ability
- A dental is an ideal replacement for missing teeth
- It gives a person a natural look and smiles
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Cons:
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- Causes gagging problems
- Dentures often get less stable in the lower jaw after some time
- It can cause sore spots in the mouth
- Compresses soft tissues
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Dental Bridges
Like the name, dental bridges create a bridge to close up the gap created by one or more missing teeth. The treatment involves creating a bridge of two or more crowns for the teeth of both ends of the gap.
These crowns are called an abutment; they are the anchor teeth between the gap.
Dental bridges are usually made from alloy, porcelain, gold, or a combination of all three metals. The false teeth are then supported by natural teeth or implants.
There are many types of dental bridges, and they include:
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- Resin-Bond Dental Bridge
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Here, the bridge is attached to a tooth that’s already bonded. It is typically made of porcelain or metal.
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- Implant-Supported Fixed Bridge
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The complex process involves several stages and can take between six to nine months to come to an end. It involves placing an implant in the jaw area of the missing tooth.
It takes several months to heal. The process involves using a special dental compound that binds the dental bridge and protects it to give a natural smile.
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- Tooth-Supported Fixed Bridges
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It is also called cantilever bridges. It involves building bridges with adjacent teeth from one part of the missing tooth.
This method is not recommended for areas around the back of the mouth as the pressure can become too much, thereby causing damage to the gums and teeth.
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Pros:
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- Dental bridges help to prevent the teeth from moving out of proportion
- It helps to maintain the shape of the face
- Restores speech and chewing ability
- Restores your smile
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Cons:
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- The method may not work if the supporting teeth are not strong enough
- It is expensive and often requires replacement
- The structure of the natural teeth often requires reduction to accommodate the bridge
- It can cause areas under the crown to decay if not fitted properly
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FAQ
Can I replace a missing tooth with a veneer?
Dental veneers are not adequate replacements for missing teeth. Veneers consist of thin porcelain. It is usually bonded to the front of the teeth and is ideal for cases of chips, cracks, or stains in the teeth.
It’s also suitable for covering up discolored teeth.
Can a missing tooth grow back?
Dental researchers have discovered a way of regrowing a missing tooth. This discovery, however, has only been experimented on mice, and experts are skeptical of its application to humans.
There are also concerns about the ethical and legal implications of a human trial.
Is there any temporal tooth replacement option available?
Flipper is one temporal tooth replacement option to consider. A flipper is a temporal denture that’s able to flip in and out of its position. The partial denture does not rely on its surroundings and does not require a metal clasp.
It is cheaper than other options and is lighter. Flippers serve as an adequate temporal tooth replacement until a permanent option is ready.
Is there a cheap way to replace a missing tooth?
Yes, there are cheap options to consider. One of such is dentures. The treatment does not require surgery or a dental crown. Besides, it takes less time to form.
Does a tooth implant hurt?
Dental implants are considered less painful than a dental extraction in many cases. Teeth implants are not painful when performed by a well-trained specialist.
A local anesthetic is often applied to ensure you don’t feel pain throughout the process.
Can you get braces with a missing tooth?
Yes, you can get braces even with a missing tooth. Braces may even be necessary to align the teeth before inserting a dental implant. However, it depends on the patient’s case and the doctor’s recommendation.
CONCLUSION
While a missing tooth can easily be ignored in most cases, tooth loss is something to take seriously. Like many health conditions, the earlier it’s treated, the better the outcome.
Along with regular dental visits and maintaining good oral hygiene habits, talk to your dentist about what to do about your missing tooth.
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