It’s not uncommon for adults to have one or more missing teeth.
While you might be able to manage with gaps in your teeth, it can be a drain on your confidence to have a missing tooth. Additionally, missing teeth can create other problems as well.
For example, nearby teeth will have to bear the strain of the missing tooth and may wear down faster. Remaining teeth may also move out of place, and the bone under the missing tooth can deteriorate.
Overall, it’s usually best for your oral health to fill the gap and replace any missing teeth.
Why people lose teeth
People can lose teeth for a number of reasons.
In some cases, an accident or trauma can knock out a tooth. This could be anything from an accident while playing sports, to a car crash, to falling off a scooter.
However, one of the most common causes is decay. If you have a hole in your tooth but do not get it fixed with a dental filling, that hole can grow and worsen, leading to infection and eventually tooth loss.
Another common reason is gum disease. In its early stages, gum disease is known as gingivitis, and includes symptoms of bleeding gums, redness, and swelling. Gingivitis is treatable with good dental hygiene, but if left untreated, it can progress into periodontitis. Periodontitis is untreatable, and effects the soft tissue of the gums, which can lead to tooth loss over time.
Dental bridges
One great option for filling gaps is dental bridges.
A dental bridge is a permanent prosthetic device that is fitted to your natural teeth on each side of the gap. It ‘bridges’ the space with a false tooth (pontic) that looks and acts like the real thing, and uses dental crowns on your natural teeth to secure the pontic in place.
One type of dental bridge, the cantilever, can also bridge gaps from just one side. This can be used if you are missing teeth at the end of a row, rather than in between natural teeth.
Dental bridges are much more stable and comfortable than dentures, and they do not require surgery to put in place. They are also a relatively affordable option for tooth replacement.
Dental implants
Dental implants are a popular option for missing teeth.
They are false teeth that are surgically planted into the jawbone, mimicking the structure of your natural teeth. This makes them highly durable as they typically last a lifetime, and will be virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth.
Dental implants do require multiple dental visits over a long period of time. That’s because the first procedure involves placing an implant into the jawbone, and you must wait months for the site to properly heal before the dentist can take the next steps to finalise the false tooth. While it does take extra time, the wait is worth the outcome.
One of the biggest obstacles to getting dental implants is the cost, as they are a more expensive option than dental bridges. Most dental practices will offer payment plans to help patients spread out these costs.
Fill the gaps with Hutt Dental Hub
Hutt Dental Hub offers both dental bridges and dental implants, and our friendly experts can help you determine which option is best for your oral health. Get in touch today to make an appointment and take the first step in filling the gaps in your smile.
