Tooth loss is one of the most common oral health issues adults face as they age, with many people over 60 experiencing what is classified as severe loss. Patients often ask us whether it is necessary to replace their missing teeth, especially the ones in the back. Unequivocally, we advise all of our patients to replace their missing teeth to preserve their long-term oral health.
What Happens When You Have Missing Teeth
Tooth loss diminishes your quality of life and impacts your general health. You need all of your teeth for proper chewing and to maintain healthy gums and a healthy jawbone. When one tooth is missing, the others will shift to fill in the gap, causing them to become misaligned, with some teeth twisting and sliding out of place. This can cause bite problems as well as bone and gum shrinkage, which can also affect the adjacent teeth.
Why Replace Missing Teeth
One or more missing teeth can easily destabilize the entire section of the mouth. The remaining teeth will wear out more quickly and start to break and need to be removed, in a sort of chain reaction. Replacing any missing teeth as soon as possible, even in the back where they are not visible, minimizes the negative effects on your other teeth, gums, and jawbone. Stopping the chain reaction before it has a chance to start.
Options for Replacing Missing Teeth
Depending on the patient’s needs, we offer various tooth replacement alternatives, all of which are natural looking and effective at restoring oral health.
Dental Implants – The only truly permanent tooth replacement option, a dental implant consists of a titanium post surgically implanted into the jawbone to simulate a tooth root. It is finished with a dental crown, a bridge, or a denture.
All-on-4 Dentures – For patients needing to replace most or all of their teeth, this option uses 4 or more strategically placed dental implants to secure a denture on the top and bottom arch. This is another permanent solution, as the denture cannot be removed. The implants keep the dentures securely in place for exceptional stability.
Snap-on Dentures – Another form of implant-supported denture, snap-on dentures usually use 2 or 4 dental implants to keep them secure for added stability and bite strength. Snap-on dentures can be removable or fixed, depending on the patient’s needs and desired outcome.
Implant-Secured Bridges – A dental bridge replaces one or several teeth at a time, essentially filling in the gap. When secured by an implant, a bridge no longer involves the adjacent teeth. Additionlly, the implant helps to keep the gum tissue and jawbone underneath the bridge healthy.
Conventional Bridges & Dentures – For patients who are not candidates for implants or wish to pursue a more conventional treatment plan, traditional dentures and bridges are also an option. A conventional bridge or denture is a practical solution for replacing missing teeth.
Your oral health is very important to your physical health and your overall well-being. Don’t let missing teeth jeopardize that. Call our office located in North Huntingdon, PA to request a consultation. We can explain your options and devise a personalized treatment plan to restore your oral health and give you an amazing-looking smile again.