Missing teeth or Hypodontia (a condition with congenitally missing teeth) is a very common problem. Often, missing teeth occur due to untreated dental problems, congenital reasons, or trauma. Although this is a common problem, this is not reason enough to ignore missing teeth. Therefore, adults with a missing tooth or teeth should consider visiting the nearest dental practice to get it remedied with dental implants.
How Common Are Missing Teeth?
Very common. Approximately every 1 in every 4 adults has at least one tooth missing. We assure you that our dentists treat this problem with great concern. We have the skills and compassion to help our patients live a better and happier life with teeth or tooth replacement. We have fit hundreds, if not thoundands of dental implants over the years.
Reasons to Replace Your Missing Tooth or Teeth
Here are some reasons most of our patients have had when opting for tooth or teeth replacement.
Affects self-confidence
Having a gap between the teeth can affect one’s self-esteem and self-confidence. Those with missing teeth often cover their mouth when they talk or laugh. They avoid smiling and avoid letting people see their teeth.
Gaps Overwork Other Teeth
Each tooth has a unique purpose; it could be speech, biting, chewing, or grinding. Missing teeth can disrupt the balance and move the pressure to other teeth nearby. This can cause excess load on the adjacent teeth, leading them to break down quicker.
Altering of the Bone Structure
When there are missing teeth or even if a single tooth is missing, the bone and gum do receive stimulation. This causes the jawbone to shrink/resorb and simultaneously causes the gums to pull back/recede. This also affects the neighbouring teeth and can cause further loss of teeth. In addition it can lead to the cheeks to become hollow and sag, causing the person’s face to appear older.
Enjoy a Healthy and Hearty Diet Once More
When people have missing teeth and related discomfort, they tend to avoid eating the healthiest foods. This limits their diet and can lead to other health issues. With teeth replacement, you can once again enjoy eating all the foods you like. You can have a variety of things in your meals and live a healthier life.
The Solution is Long-Term
You will find different treatment options that vary based on the degrees of longevity. A partial denture is cost-effective, but it only lasts five years in most people and more than five years in only 40% of cases.
In contrast, dental implants have an approximate 98% success rate after 5 years, and in many cases last a lifetime. The implants in this treatment become part of the jawbone and work like natural teeth. As many as 90% of dental implant cases tend to remain successful after insertion, for fifteen years or more.
We suggest that people look at the treatment of missing teeth as an investment. After all, it saves one from on-going dental care for short-term remedies.
Other Options for Teeth Replacement
Our dentists would suggest several options for teeth replacement. This would depend on specific factors, such as your present oral health, the number of missing teeth, and the budget needed for the treatment. Our dentists offer the best treatment options after a detailed discussion during your consultation. They will provide some facts and give you an overview of the treatment options.
Partial Denture
A partial denture procedure involves using a removable metal frame or acyclic plate that can hold one or more artificial teeth in position. They tend to last for five years. Partial dentures offer a different experience as they are removable.
Resin-bonded Bridge
In this treatment option, our dentists would fix an artificial tooth at the back of the adjacent teeth, using specialised techniques. This treatment has a high success rate, and in 88% of cases, the bridge lasts for a minimum of five years. With proper dental care and regular check-ups, it can last as long as seven years.
One disadvantage of using this treatment is that the metal frame can be visible through the other teeth.
Conventional Bridge
In this treatment option, dentists use a conventional bridge to fix the artificial tooth to the crown on the adjacent teeth. This keeps it in a fixed position. In our experience, this treatment has a good success rate, and the results last much longer than the above options. One reason for concern is that to hold the bridge in place, the adjacent tooth is filed down to accommodate the bridge.
Dental Implants
Generally, dental implants have a high success rate and offer a treatment that is closest to having the natural tooth. Patients do not feel conscious about the fixtures and can lead a normal life. These treatments also maintain the bone levels where the teeth were removed. Besides, they last a long time, and patients treat them as they would treat their natural teeth.
Even though dental implants are the most expensive option for teeth replacement, they are long lasting and the gold standard for tooth replacement. You can always visit our dental practice to consult us about your missing teeth. Feel free to book your appointment.
01943 865600