Tooth loss can occur for multiple reasons. Top contributors are trauma, gum disease, infections and sometimes teeth are missing naturally due to congenital reasons. No matter the reason for tooth loss, the space from a missing tooth should never be left without a replacement in the form of a dental implant, dental bridge or a partial denture (prosthetic).
What should you do if a tooth gets knocked out?
It might not be the first thing on your mind after experiencing a traumatic incident. Still, if you lose a tooth due to trauma such as a blow to the face, etc., you should try to find the tooth immediately. Do not clean it off (it still contains vital anatomy that can help it reintegrate with your jaw). Store the tooth in either your own saliva tucked in the corner of your mouth or under your tongue, or in milk. Be mindful not to swallow the tooth if you have to keep it in your mouth. Get to a dentist immediately.
In some cases, if a tooth is placed back in the socket within a short time, it can harden back in the bone.
When should a missing tooth be replaced?
The key to replacing a missing tooth is timing. When a tooth is lost or extracted, the bone from the space will begin to recede away because it no longer has a tooth to keep it stable. Bone loss from a missing tooth can occur in as little as a few months after tooth loss.
When bone loss occurs, replacing a tooth, whether a dental implant or a dental bridge or a prosthetic, is more complicated. Typically, a bone graft will need to be placed before treatment, which adds an extra step and expense to the treatment plan.
If a gap is left between teeth due to tooth loss, it can have a detrimental effect on the rest of your teeth and even your jaw. Here are some considerations when a missing tooth or teeth are left without replacement:
- Bone loss will occur from the open space
- Surrounding teeth can shift and tip into the open space
- Opposing teeth can over erupt into a missing space because they no longer have a tooth to bite down against
- The bite can change, and too much pressure can be placed on the remaining teeth
- Chips and cracks can occur in the remaining teeth due to too much pressure
- The facial structure can change when teeth are missing, such as hollowed cheeks and a shortened jaw
Options to replace missing teeth
As stated above, the options to replace a missing tooth are dental implants, dental bridges and prosthetics. Dental implants are the ideal tooth replacement, as they look and function the most similar to your natural teeth.
Dental bridges are caps that attach to the surrounding teeth to hold up a pontic to act as the missing tooth but require removing natural tooth structure from healthy teeth to accommodate them.
Prosthetics (or dentures) are removable teeth that can be used for a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth that must be removed nightly.
Your dentist is the best resource to discuss what tooth replacement option is best for you, so please get in touch with us today if you have any questions.