How Did I Lose My Teeth?

Although losing a tooth might be a delicate situation, it isn’t uncommon and there is no reason for you to panic. But first things first, why do people lose their teeth? 

• You can lose your front teeth due to trauma (accidental bump, fall, or a blow to your face).
• Gum disease is another leading cause of loose teeth and eventual tooth loss among adults.
• Other reasons include tooth grinding over a prolonged time (which “tears” down teeth enamel and loosens teeth).
• Some health conditions affecting bone health i.e., osteoporosis can also compromise bone health and loosen teeth.

Missing Front Teeth: What To Do Now?

When the inevitable happens, and you have one/more missing front teeth, one of the best permanent and effective solutions is to have dental implants installed. 

For professionally installed front teeth dental implants in Toronto, consider a renowned dental clinic like Annex Dentistry, which has 50+ years of stellar dental services to the Bloor community.

Below, we’ll explore more about having front teeth dental implants, from what they are, to how they look and more!

What Are Front Teeth Dental Implants?

Dental implants work as artificial tooth roots. They are surgically installed into the jawbone to support replacement teeth. Dental implants act like anchors for dental crowns or traditional bridges, making them a stronger and more permanent solution for missing teeth(1). 

Since front teeth dental implants are installed where they’ll be easily visible they demand more in surgical precision and overall aesthetic appeal.

What Do Dental Implants Look Like?

The implants should resemble the original teeth as closely as possible while still being an aesthetically pleasing solution.

Who is the Ideal Candidate for Front Tooth Removal and Replacement via Dental Implants?

Not everyone with missing front teeth is a candidate for dental implants. To increase your success rate, have dental implants installed only if you(2):

• Have a healthy jaw bone that has reached full bone growth (bone density and bone structure) with no bone damage or bone defect.
• Have sufficient bone mass to secure the dental implants in place. Alternatively, you can get a bone graft
• Have healthy gum tissue
• Are healthy/free of health conditions that affect the bone healing process
• Don’t smoke tobacco
• Are ready to commit fully to the surgical process

How Are Front Teeth Dental Implants Installed?

The process can be summarised into 4 main steps namely:

Step 1: Diagnostic Tests and Medical History Review

Detailed 3D images and panoramic X-rays are taken to assess your jaw health and overall suitability for dental implants.

Your medical history will also be reviewed i.e., past health conditions, allergies, medications, etc.

Step 2: Planning Dental Implant Surgery

Step one makes it possible to create a custom comprehensive treatment plan with the ideal system for your implant placement depth and angulation. A surgical guide is also created to assist with precise implantation.

Step 3: Surgery

Step 3 involves the actual surgery done in stages, with healing time in between procedures. The surgery is usually done under local anesthesia, and implants are fitted where the natural tooth root used to be.

The process will involve making holes into your jawbone where the implants will be placed. Temporary dental bridges or removable dentures may be used to enhance appearance during healing and before the permanent implants are installed.

Step 4: Installation of Permanent Dental Implants (Abutment Placement)

Once healed, the permanent dental implants are installed to restore aesthetics and functionality. The above steps summarise the entire process. However, there’s obviously more to the dental surgical procedure.

Are Front Dental Implants Necessary? What Are the Benefits?

If you have missing front teeth, some of the key advantages of implants include: 

• A durable solution for compromised appearance: Beyond the aesthetic implications of missing teeth, the gap left by them can cause nearby teeth to shift, further compromising your appearance and chewing function. Dental implants solve this problem and do it permanently (last several decades without embarrassing slippages provided you maintain a great oral hygiene routine characterised by a thorough daily cleaning and regular checkups).
• Improved comfort and speech: Missing front teeth affect speech clarity, especially with “s” and “th” sounds.
• Prevents sunken face: Besides restoring appearance, dental implants will prevent a “sunken” look common when the jaw shrinks, or bone loss occurs due to missing teeth.
• Lower risk of gum disease (periodontal disease): Dental implants eliminate gaps in the teeth known to increase the risk of tartar and plaque build-up, which causes gum disease.
• Natural teeth look: Of all the alternative remedies for missing front teeth, dental implants offer the most natural-looking solution.

Alternatives for Front Teeth Dental Implants

If you have missing front teeth and don’t want dental implants, you can opt for the following tooth replacement options:

1. Partial dentures: Resemble traditional dentures in function but are used to replace several missing teeth instead of an entire upper/lower set of teeth. However, they aren’t a long-term solution as dental implants. Also, you need to have strong adjacent teeth to support the partial dentures(3). Other shortfalls include discomfort and poor function since most are loser fitting than implants.
2. Dental bridges: Other front teeth dental implant alternatives are dental bridges. Dental bridges are simply permanent appliances that replace missing teeth. They are made using different materials i.e., porcelain, metals, resin, or ceramic, and fit into the missing teeth or single tooth space. Ceramic is a popular choice when replacing missing front teeth because it offers the closest appearance to natural teeth(4).

Are there Risks Associated with Front Teeth Dental Implants?

While every surgical dental procedure comes with risks, they are greatly reduced by having them installed in a leading dentistry clinic like Annex Dentistry. We are proven to offer safe, permanent & natural-looking implants.

 

If you need more information on front teeth dental implants, we can assist! You can click here to contact us. We’ll try to answer all your questions and help you decide the best treatment options for missing front teeth or other dental conditions.

As mentioned, we recommend that you seek dental surgery treatment from established dental clinics with decades of experience and seasoned dental implant specialists.

Here at Annex Dentistry we offer a variety of tested and proven general and cosmetic dentistry treatments. Email: [email protected] or call: 416-962-4022 to reclaim your beautiful natural smile in a safe and permanent manner.

 

References

[1] Mayoclinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dental-implant-surgery/about/pac-20384622

[2] Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/benefits-of-dental-implants#candidates

[3] Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/partial-denture

[4] VeryWellHealth: https://www.verywellhealth.com/dental-bridge-4777662#:~:text=Bridges%20can%20be%20made%20of,different%20kinds%20of%20dental%20bridges.