Replacing Missing Teeth
If teeth are lost due to extensive decay, fracturing, periodontal disease, or any other dental problem, something must be done to replace their function. “Prosthodontics” is the dental term used to mean the replacement of teeth. Prosthetic teeth may be either removable or fixed permanently in the mouth.
Fixed bridges are typically used when only a few teeth are missing. The fixed bridge is cemented to the remaining teeth on either side, creating a “bridge” of replacement teeth between the existing teeth. Removable appliances – dentures – are usually used when many teeth are missing and/or when a fixed bridge cannot be used. Dentures are removed daily for cleaning. Dentures can either be partials or complete. Implants may be used to support dentures.
Depending upon the extent of the damage or the number of missing teeth, the dentist will provide a complete exam and diagnosis, leading to the right method of treatment for you.
Reasons missing teeth should be replaced
Tooth loss can affect many everyday functions. Here are the most common reasons missing teeth should be replaced:
- Appearance: Missing teeth are unsightly, and gaps left unfilled can affect the way your whole face looks. You should replace missing teeth to safeguard your appearance, prevent the collapse of facial features, and lessen the chance of premature wrinkles and age lines.
- Chewing: Missing teeth hinder your ability to chew properly. Food can become lodged between the gaps in your teeth, which may lead to infection.
- Bite: Missing teeth can cause misalignment of the remaining healthy teeth. This may throw your bite (the way your teeth come together) out of order, leading to additional fracturing, gum disease, and tooth loss.
- Speaking: Certain teeth affect the way most people enunciate their words. The loss of one or more of these teeth can make it more difficult to pronounce some words. If you are missing any of your permanent teeth, it is extremely important that you schedule an appointment with your dentist to have this problem corrected.
Restore or Extract Teeth: What Should You Do?
Today, modern dentistry and better nutrition have reduced the incidence of tooth loss. It is now quite possible to preserve and maintain your teeth for your entire lifetime.
When a tooth is extracted, it leaves a space that can cause other teeth to shift and become crooked, affecting your ability to chew properly. Thus, the loss of a single tooth can have a major impact upon your dental health and appearance.
Although an extraction is initially less expensive than restoration, the missing tooth will need to be replaced with a bridge or implant which can cost more than a root canal or other restorative treatment.
Overall, the benefits of natural teeth outnumber the benefits of prosthetic, or replacement, teeth.