MISSING TOOTH

Missing tooth is a problem faced mostly among the aged population.

In fact there are many other causes that leads to missing tooth even in young individuals and children too.

Some causes like extractions, fractures, unerupted tooth, etc leads to missing tooth.

Many among us take it for granted that one tooth missing out of 32 doesn’t matter if not replaced.

What happens if the missing tooth is not replaced ?

• person with missing tooth will face problems while eating food.
• Problems in speech especially if front tooth is missing.
• The force exerted by the jaw while eating changes to compensate the missing tooth and is transferred to the existing tooth damaging them.
• The existing tooth may shift from their place resulting in tilted or crooked teeth resulting in tooth decay as crooked/tilted tooth are difficult to clean leading to caries.
• Teeth are the ones that stimulate the jawbone growth. Missing tooth leads to deterioration of bone and shrinkage of gums.
• Jaw pain is the common side effect of missing tooth.
• Multiple missing teeth will lead to jaw shrinkage and there is loss of facial structure. This causes sagging of skin giving an aged appearance of face.

Now we understand the importance of replacing a missing tooth. The days of worries are gone as we have many treatment modes of replacing a missing tooth :

Removable appliance:

This is the most economical method of treatment. Its only advantage is you can replace multiple teeth with this appliance. But it is not as esthetic and stable as a fixed bridge.

Fixed bridge:

A fixed bridge is made by taking the support of teeth on either side of the missing tooth. The teeth on either side of the gap are prepared and impressions of the prepared teeth are taken and sent to lab for fabrication of your crowns. The lab makes a false tooth in between the two crowns and this is a bridge. This is more esthetic, stable and feels like your own tooth in the mouth.

Dental Implant:

Most conventional and stable method of replacing a missing tooth is dental implants that are the latest method of treatment. It is implantation of a titanium screw resembling the root into the jawbone at the missing tooth region and then placement of a crown on top of it. This root like form fuses with the surrounding bone giving a feel of natural tooth. This procedure needs adequate bone support that surrounds the implant and for the patients with systemic diseases like diabetes, heart diseases, pregnancy, mental diseases, dental implants is not the right treatment option as they are more prone to infections and interfere with the healing.

                                Restore your missing tooth to restore your Health.