Can You Replace a Missing Tooth?

You could be missing a tooth for several reasons, from untreated gum disease to an injury. But fortunately, tooth replacement is possible in many cases. Your dentist must examine your mouth to determine your eligibility for a tooth replacement procedure.

The dentist will consider a few things to determine the best way to replace the missing tooth or teeth. Location, number of missing teeth, and overall oral health are all things that can affect which method of replacement should be the most effective.

Unless it was just knocked out and you want to see if the dentist can put the tooth back in, you don’t usually need to make a special appointment to discuss your options. Your 6-month dental exam and cleaning is a great time to ask your dentist about tooth replacement.

Replacing a Missing Tooth

There isn’t a single best way to replace a missing tooth. Your dentist can discuss the best option with you based on your situation.

Tooth Implant

A tooth implant is an artificial root, typically made from titanium steel. It’s often a 2-part procedure. 

Initially, the dentist examines your mouth to ensure you have adequate bone to attach the anchor to and your oral health sufficient to support a dental implant. This often includes a physical examination and X-rays. If everything is good, you’ll undergo the procedure where the metal post is inserted into your jaw.

In some cases, the abutment (the piece that the artificial tooth attaches to) can be attached to the anchor during the initial procedure. But sometimes, a minor procedure is needed after your gums heal from the first surgery.

Once the abutment is attached and your gums are healed, you’re usually ready for the artificial tooth. With proper care, this can be a long-term solution that looks and functions like a natural tooth.

Bridges

Another option for tooth replacement is a bridge. Rather than requiring several dental implants, a bridge can be attached to crowns on healthy teeth to each side of the missing teeth. This can be an especially great option if multiple teeth are missing.

In more extreme cases, where perhaps there aren’t healthy teeth to attach the bridge to, two dental implants with artificial teeth can function as the anchors for the bridge to attach to. Depending on your need, your dentist may refer to these as traditional or implant bridges.

Dentures

Dentures can be a non-surgical option for replacing a missing tooth. However, they are not permanently attached to your mouth and are taken in and out. A complete denture is used when all teeth are missing from the jaw. Whereas a partial denture only replaces a few teeth.

Replace the Original Tooth

Sometimes, a tooth can be replaced if it’s knocked out. Typically, this must occur within 30 minutes, and it becomes unlikely to be successful after 2 hours. If you find yourself in this situation, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:

• Rinse the tooth with water, but avoid scrubbing or touching the root.
• Place the tooth back in its socket. It may stick up a little further than the others, but just gently bite down on gauze or a moist tea bag until you arrive at the dentist.
• If putting the tooth back in the socket isn’t possible, placing it between the gums and cheek or a glass of milk is also acceptable.

After following these steps, you must see your dentist as soon as possible to maximize the chances of successful reimplantation.

What’s the Problem With Missing Teeth?

A missing tooth may cause no problems, depending on where in your mouth it’s missing from. However, there are certainly some problems that could come from missing teeth:

• A large study demonstrated a connection between missing teeth and several cardiovascular diseases. There isn’t a concrete answer to why this link exists, but some experts believe that the increased inflammation in a person’s mouth leads to an elevated risk of heart issues.
• Difficulty maintaining a healthy diet because of chewing or swallowing issues.
• Migration of surrounding teeth can cause an altered bite.
• Some people may experience a significant hit to self-esteem, depending on where the tooth is missing in their mouth.

Discuss Tooth Replacement With Your Dentist

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer for the best type of tooth replacement or even if a person is eligible. If you’ve experienced tooth loss, call our office today. The professional staff at South Bolton Dental Centre can answer your questions and book you in to see one of our dentists.