Having a healthy set of teeth is very important for someone’s overall oral health, and even helps boost their confidence and self-esteem. A full set of teeth is perfect to flash a beautiful smile, and here at Annex Dentistry, we can support you in having the best smile possible. There are many reasons why people stop smiling, and having dental issues might be one of the most common ones. Lucky for you, we are here to assist you in any way we can. If you are currently dealing with a missing tooth situation, let us give you a hand so we can fix the issue.
First, it’s important to understand the causes of missing teeth to prevent the issue from recurring. Knowing the cause behind your particular case and why you have missing teeth can also help in choosing an appropriate treatment:
- Gum disease, accidents/injuries, and tooth decay are the most prevalent reasons behind it.
- Congenital conditions (like being born without certain teeth) are less common, but we can’t entirely rule them out.
So how are missing teeth fixed? Should you be worried when you lose permanent teeth? Let’s dive into how to resolve this issue!
Is It Important to Fix Missing Teeth?
Most people will fix a missing tooth to maintain their image and confidence, but there can also be a very real medical reason behind it. When a tooth is lost, the surrounding architecture, namely your gums and bone, also resorb. Teeth help to maintain the height of your bone and jaw density. When teeth are missing, chewing becomes more difficult and food is often altered to a soft, refined diet to accommodate the lack of teeth available for chewing. This can result in nutritional deficiencies, especially for the elderly. Teeth also frame the smile. Missing teeth can create a collapse in the bite which can create problems with the TMJ. They can also cause the corners of the mouth to point downward and even create a hollow cheek appearance. In essence, unrestored missing teeth prematurely age a person and their smile. Lastly, speech can become compromised depending on the position of the missing tooth or teeth.
How to Fix Missing Teeth
Here at Annex Dentistry, we offer our patients two main tooth replacement options to fix their missing teeth, they are both viable options depending on your specific situation and budget.
1. Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are a great fix for a single missing tooth or a few missing teeth adjacent to permanent teeth. Dental bridges are composed of replacement teeth or artificial teeth. The treatment uses the existing natural adjacent teeth as an anchor to keep replacement teeth securely in place. They also strengthen remaining teeth, restoring proper function. With their help, you can start chewing hard or soft food again.
Dental bridges are a great choice because they are made using porcelain material that is strong, safe, and looks like real teeth. They also last for years with proper care, so we find them to be a great option for this particular situation.
2. Dental Implants
Dental implants are used as a better alternative to dentures. They are used to fix severe tooth loss or a single missing tooth, especially if the adjacent teeth are in excellent health, and preparing them for a bridge would not be ideal. As the name suggests, they are implanted into the jaw bone, making them incredibly strong anchors for the replacement of false teeth. Of course, this means dental implants don’t slip, which is very helpful. For dental implants to be installed successfully, you need to go through a surgical component and a restorative phase. Our team of experts can help you every step of the way and make sure you are always comfortable and well taken care of. One of the best things about this procedure is that the results can last for a lifetime.
The effectiveness of dental implants and dental bridges is largely dependent on proper treatment, which is why the importance of choosing dental professionals can’t be overemphasized. When you book a consultation with us, we’ll examine all the treatment options for you and determine the best course of action.
Contact Annex Dentistry to get the best oral treatment possible
Here at Annex Dentistry, your health and comfort are our top priorities. To learn more about missing teeth treatments be sure to book an appointment with us. Our dental team is waiting to review your case, recommend the best treatment for a lost tooth or teeth, and craft a custom treatment plan. Check out our dental services to know exactly all the ways in which we can help you improve your oral health. You can call us at 416-962-4022, email us at [email protected] or visit our website to get the full extent of our information. Let’s bring back your beautiful smile, together!