We get this question a lot. We often see people with a missing tooth or two, sometimes a recent extraction has left the space, other times it’s been open for decades. So why replace missing teeth?

Our teeth are a team that have evolved to work together as a set. Each tooth requires the help of other teeth to stay in place, to function properly and to allow effective cleaning. Take even one out and things start to change. Tooth movement begins after an extraction and is a process that often goes unnoticed until the patient comes in complaining of food trapping and gum irritation under the leaning tooth (See left and center images). Notice also how the opposing teeth have moved down out of alignment with the other teeth. This is especially apparent when a wisdom tooth has continued to erupt without opposition (right image).

What can be done?

Of course prevention is ideal, but if a tooth is lost it can be replaced in a number of ways, ideally before significant tooth movement occurs.  It is common to replace missing teeth using:

• Dental implants.   Considered the gold-standard in tooth replacement due to their reliable long-term success (1).  The artificial tooth root (the implant) is placed and a few months later the implant either restores a single tooth or is used to hold a fixed or removable denture in place securely.
• Bridges can be used to replace a tooth or two by using the neighboring teeth for support.  The result is a quick and esthetic replacement; although at least two neighboring teeth have to be altered to allow this method to work.  Keep them clean and they are a good long-term solution (2).
• Removable Partial Dentures (RPDs) are a cost-effective way to replace one or several teeth at once.  The product clips to neighboring teeth for a good fit but needs to be taken out at night.  These products help greatly, but are the least desirable replacement.

If you are living with missing teeth your other teeth are missing necessary support.  Restoring missing teeth allows you to fully enjoy your food and to look and feel your best. 

Share if you care!  Please feel free to share this or any Dental Health Matters article (all available at (http://www.myelmhurstdentist.com/Dental-Health-Matters.asp) and if you have any questions, please feel free to email me at Doodes@ParkBlvdDentistry.com  Who knows, maybe your question will be the subject of another edition!

References:

1. Meta-analysis of Failure and Survival Rate of Implant-supported Single Crowns, Fixed Partial Denture, and Implant Tooth-supported Prostheses.  Muddugangadhar BC et al.J Int Oral Health. 2015 Sep;7(9):11-7.
2. Comparison of Rehabilitating Missing Mandibular First Molars with Implant- or Tooth-Supported Prostheses Using Masticatory Efficiency and Patient Satisfaction Outcomes.  Kumar Y., et al.  J Prosthodont. 2015 Nov 20