disease. This bacterial infection attacks healthy gum, tooth, and bone tissue. If left untreated, the bonds that hold teeth and gums together are destroyed, resulting in tooth and bone loss. Periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, is a major contributor to tooth loss in adults aged 65 and older.
Tooth Decay
When plaque hardens on tooth surfaces, it produces acids that destroy tooth structure. Caught early, decay can be removed and the tooth restored with a filling or crown. Severe decay may cause extensive damage to tooth structure and invade the nerve tissue of a tooth. A root canal can resolve early-stage infection in the inner chamber of a tooth.
Left untreated, the infection only worsens and may result in tooth loss.
Injury
Trauma to teeth from injuries to the mouth are another common cause of tooth loss. A fall, sports-related injury, automobile accident, physical trauma, or other damage may cause a tooth to come out or become damaged beyond repair and require removal by a dentist.
Conventional Options to Replace Missing Teeth: They Often Miss the Mark
Traditional replacement teeth provide adults with missing teeth a way to regain oral function. However, conventional solutions such as dentures, partials, and bridges only address a subset of the problems associated with missing teeth. You may regain the appearance of a complete smile, but at a cost.
Full dentures replace complete upper and/ or lower arches of teeth. A plastic base that floats on your gum tissue and jawbone ridge holds the prosthetic teeth in place. But without the chewing forces of natural teeth, gum tissue and jawbone mass shrink over time, causing dentures to loosen. Full dentures can be relined to accommodate gum and bone shrinkage, but this solution is only temporary. Bone and gum tissue will continue to diminish, and dentures will continue to shift, click, and cause problems with eating and speaking. Denture wearers may resort to using large amounts of adhesive to keep their teeth intact. With the scare involving zinc in over-the-counter denture paste, this method of stabilization is far from perfect and may be harmful. Additionally, dentures minimize chewing capacity by 80% when compared to natural teeth. The base of an upper denture may completely cover the roof of the mouth, restricting your ability to fully taste food.
This restorative solution is often used to replace missing teeth scattered throughout an upper or lower row of teeth. Partials are held in place with clasps that attach to healthy existing teeth. These clasps, often made of metal, can wear away at natural tooth structure, compromising the health and stability of these “anchor” teeth and increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Crown & Bridgework
A bridge contains replacement teeth to fill a gap left by one or more missing teeth. Crown and bridgework, as it’s often called, is permanently attached to existing teeth that have been crowned to provide additional stability. The process to apply a crown requires grinding down natural tooth structure. This serves as an acceptable solution for a tooth that’s marred by extensive decay. However, destroying healthy tooth structure is never a satisfactory approach.
Ignoring the Problem
The least beneficial way to deal with missing teeth? Ignore them! If you choose this route, you’ll likely experience pain, impaired oral function, a diminished appearance, and more tooth loss. Research shows that if a missing tooth isn’t replaced, up to 20% of adjacent teeth will be lost in the next 4 to 8 years. One missing tooth sets in motion a downward spiral of events that negatively impacts the quality – and potentially the length – of your life.
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