What is edentulism or loss of teeth?
- The jaws without teeth are called “edentulous”
- Partially edentulous- when a few teeth are missing from either upper or lower jaw
- Completely edentulous – when all teeth are missing
What are Causes of Tooth loss?
- Neglected, long standing decay which progresses to broken tooth and complete loss of tooth.
- Poor oral hygiene.
- Untreated Gingival and periodontal diseases, leading to mobile tooth/teeth and complete loss of tooth /teeth
- Trauma/ road traffic accidents which lead to loss of teeth.
- Systemic diseases and bone disorders which weaken support and lead to tooth loss.
What are the consequences of tooth loss?
- Inability to chew.
- Difficulty in speech in case of missing front teeth.
- Unpleasant appearance and compromised smile.
- Movement of adjacent teeth into the edentulous space leading to functional issues.
- If tooth is missing for prolonged time the underlying bone tend to resorb continuously.
What are the Consequences of losing one or more teeth?
- When one or more teeth are missing the adjacent teeth gradually shift in an attempt to close the gap. These natural movements cause a series of problems that aggravate the initial situation.
- The shifting teeth create new spaces between other teeth, where food can get caught and build up. These spaces become difficult to maintain and are susceptible to penetration by cavity-causing bacteria and to gum disease, which over the long term can lead to bone loss.
- The tooth in the opposing jaw starts to separate from its socket in an attempt to search for its former point of contact. The gum around this tooth recedes, often causing it greater sensitivity due to exposure of part of the root, as well as a loss of sturdiness. This phenomenon generally continues until the tooth finds another point of contact or falls out.
- Chewing with fewer teeth increases the workload of the remaining teeth and can lead to premature wear. The loss of bone structure, both in the mouth and the face, is another consideration, and sagging of the facial support tissues is a sign of premature aging.
What are Treatment options for missing teeth?
Based on patients need and requirement various treatment options available for missing teeth which include – bridge and implant with crown.