Solutions to Missing Teeth
Missing teeth can come with a variety of complications; from aesthetic concerns to bone loss. Luckily, solutions to missing teeth are readily available at Northumberland Dental Care, from dental implants to bridges, so that you can avoid any complications that may come from missing teeth.
Below, Dr Maher Kemmoona from Northumberland Dental Care has outlined possible complications of missing teeth and options we provide to replace them.
Complications of Missing Teeth:
Bone loss
If you are missing a tooth and do not replace it, you may be at risk of experiencing bone loss in your jaw. Similar to how regular body movement supports the maintenance of your muscles, your teeth help to stimulate and support your jaw bone. If you stop using your muscles, they will weaken; this can also happen to your jaw bone if it’s not being used.
Shifting Teeth
If you lose a tooth (or teeth), your remaining teeth are susceptible to shifting as there are gaps for them to move. Overtime, this can massively affect the bite of your teeth. If our teeth become misaligned, our bite will not be as effective as it previously was which can cause issues such as tooth grinding and headaches.
Difficulty Chewing
We use our teeth to chew the food we eat. If we lose some of our teeth, chewing can become difficult. This difficulty varies depending on which teeth are lost. For example, you rely on your front teeth to take bites of food, and rely on your back teeth to chew food before swallowing.
Aesthetics
Aside from the health concerns related to missing teeth, you may experience aesthetic issues if you lose one or more of your teeth. Missing teeth, especially from the front of your mouth, can massively impact the appearance of your smile. This is usually due to large gaps, but also if your remaining teeth begin to shift due to missing teeth.
Luckily, solutions to missing teeth are readily available so that you can avoid any complications that may be caused. Below, you can find solutions to missing teeth that we provide at Northumberland Dental Care.
Dentures
Dentures are removable false teeth made of acrylic (plastic) or metal. They fit over the gums to replace missing teeth and eliminate potential problems caused by gaps. Full and partial dentures are available, depending on your dental needs. Your dentist will discuss these options with you to find the most suitable solution.
Bridges
As the name suggests, a dental bridge ‘bridges’ the space between your teeth, particularly at the front of your mouth, that may have been caused by missing teeth. It is anchored in place against one or two crowns on either side which are attached to the existing teeth (or implants, if required), so a bridge is formed. It should function and look just as well as your natural teeth. A dental bridge is an increasingly popular treatment that effectively closes the gap between teeth, leaving you with a perfect smile.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are artificial roots that can be used to anchor crowns, bridges or dentures, providing a solution to missing teeth. The dental implants are embedded in the jaw and fuse to the jawbone to imitate the root of the tooth. The implant provides a stable foundation onto which a crown, bridge or denture can be placed. Dental implants have been used successfully in Ireland for over 30 years.
If you suffer from missing teeth and are looking for a solution, Northumberland Dental Care can help you. If you’d like to get in touch, you can find our contact details here.
