Missing Teeth
Missing teeth can make you self conscious and stop you from smiling often.
Missing Teeth
Missing teeth can make you self conscious and stop you from smiling often.
There can be multiple reasons for your missing teeth
including genetic conditions, injury, tooth decay and gum disease. Missing teeth can make you self conscious and stop you from smiling often. At maxcare dental we are dedicated to making sure you smile more and hence have a range of treatment options to replace your missing teeth. Come in for a consultation to explore your options with one of our friendly dentists today!
Consequences of missing teeth
There can be instances when you’re missing a tooth towards the back or towards the side of your mouth and not even realise. In such cases the impact of the missing tooth may not be as significant. However, our teeth are designed to work together and one missing tooth can affect the overall functioning of your mouth and affect the way you speak and eat. This consequently affects your jaw, facial muscles and can even change the shape of your face. Your bite may also change in order to compensate for the missing teeth. This can lead to problems such as difficulty chewing, tooth grinding and tooth sensitivity.
Treatment
Missing teeth are very common and there are multiple treatment options available depending on the needs of the patient. The three main treatment options for missing teeth are implants, fixed dental bridges and removable partial dentures.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a great option when you need to replace a single tooth or multiple missing teeth in different locations of your mouth. The treatment involves a surgical procedure, where a titanium metal post is mounted into your jaw. Thereafter a replacement tooth is mounted on top of the metal post ensuring the tooth remains in place. The cost is dependent on several factors.
The main advantages of dental implants is that the replacement tooth is almost identical to your natural tooth and that it lasts a very long time and are very reliable. Another advantage is that unlike a bridge, the neighbouring teeth are not involved.
Some disadvantages of dental implants is that due to it being a surgical procedure you will have to be in good health and that recovering from the surgery will take some time as well. Implants are also more expensive than the other treatment options for missing teeth.
Fixed dental bridge
A dental bridge is a great treatment option for a missing tooth especially if there are more than in the same area. Like its name suggests it bridges the gap that has resulted because of a missing tooth using an artificial tooth. The artificial tooth is attached to the neighbouring teeth and is bonded with dental cement.
Advantages of dental bridges are that they have a very natural appearance and tend to improve the overall appearance of your teeth. They are also a cheaper treatment option when compared to implants.
Disadvantages of dental bridges are that some people may find it difficult to clean around and underneath it and if not cleaned properly can lead to tooth decay or infection. Another disadvantage is that they involve the neighbouring teeth.
Removable partial dentures
Dentures are traditionally used when you need all your teeth to be replaced. However, you can also get a partial denture made for one tooth or few of your teeth. The plastic base of the denture is matched to the colour of your gums, and the artificial teeth are matched to the colour of your natural teeth. Your natural teeth help to hold down and stabilise these removable dentures.
Some advantages of partial dentures are that they are the cheapest out of the three treatment options while still giving a natural tooth look and feel. They are also very easily replaceable and repairable.
Some disadvantages of partial dentures are that they take some time to get used to and may be uncomfortable initially. They also need to be removed daily and cleaned so require a little more maintenance in comparison to the other treatments.
Broken Tooth
Bruxism
Bruxism is characterised by the clenching/grinding of the teeth due to repetitive jaw-muscle activity
Cracked Tooth Syndrome
A broken tooth that doesn’t necessarily look broken.
Crowded Teeth
Dead Tooth
It may surprise you, but teeth do actually have living tissues.
Dental Anxiety
Dental Erosion
Dental erosion can be defined as the irreversible loss of tooth enamel caused by acids without involving bacteria.
Dry Socket
Dry socket also known as Alveolar Osteitis, is a common complication associated with tooth extractions.
Failing Old Silver Filling
Older filling also known as amalgam filling, have been used over years and are still being used today.
Gingivitis
In simpler terms, it is an inflammatory disease of the gingiva.
Gum Disease
Gum Recession
Gum recession occurs when the tissues around the teeth start to recede/pull back.
Halitosis
Halitosis is an unpleasant odour emitted from the mouth.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth, are located at the back of the mouth
Missing Teeth
Sensitive Teeth
A common dental condition that involves discomfort and pain when exposed to certain foods and temperatures.
Snoring
A partially obstructed airway during sleep causes parts of the throat or nose to vibrate as the air passes through a narrowed airway.
TMJ Dysfunction
Temporomandibular joint dysfunctions are a group of disorders affecting the masticatory system.
Tooth Brush Abrasion
Tooth brush abrasion is the most common cause of dental abrasion.
Tooth Decay
Toothache
Toothache, or dental pain, is the most frequent oral pathology
Yellow / Discoloured Teeth
Tooth discoloration/yellow tooth is an abnormal colour of the tooth, is one of the common dental conditions for any age grouped people.
What People Are Saying