Missing A Tooth? Consider the Options To Restore Your Smile

By Tarek Mogharbel, DDS

What happens if a missing tooth is not replaced?

A missing tooth can lead to potential problems if not treated early. Drifting and shifting of the neighboring teeth causing an unbalanced bite is a major problem seen in many patients. Increased biting stress on other teeth can cause fractures and cracks of otherwise healthy teeth.

Bone recession in the area of a missing tooth can lead to the maxillary sinus shifting down and thinning of the mandibular bone.

The gap between teeth widens, thereby compromising the esthetic effect, which leads to losing your natural smile.

How can a missing tooth
be replaced?

1. Removable Partial Denture (RPD)

An RPD attaches to your natural teeth with metal clasps or devices called precision attachments. RPD can restore multiple missing teeth with one devise. The disadvantage is that it is a removable piece and sometimes collects food under it.

Drawbacks

Increased stress on the teeth around the area of the missing tooth.

Bone recession in the area of the missing tooth.

2. Fixed Bridge

This is a false tooth fused between two porcelain crowns to fill the area of the missing tooth. The neighboring teeth are prepared (drilled) to attach a 3-tooth fixed bridge. The advantage is that it is permanent and does not move, but can compromise the adjacent teeth.

Drawbacks

Root canal treatment might be necessary on the prepared teeth.

Increased stress on the healthy teeth holding the bridge.

3. Dental implant

This is an artificial tooth root, made of titanium metal.

Your dentist places it into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. It is a permanent fixture that has excellent long-term success.

It also provides more advanced options for replacing a missing tooth than conventional tooth removal, partial denture or a fixed bridge.

It also helps to preserve healthy teeth and eliminate the risk of dental decay and improves your speech, overall self-image and increases your ability to eat an array of foods.

The implants help to restore your smile even if you are missing all your teeth in both upper and lower jaw.