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PUBLISHED ON 22/12/21
A good set of teeth is always an important part of a person’s appearance and function. Losing a tooth as an adult is not fun. There are many psychological and physical consequences associated with tooth loss.
Missing teeth can lower one’s confidence and self-esteem. Smiling is a fact of life. When you fail to smile, especially in social and professional situations, it’s difficult to interact with others or create a good impression. Eating can be a hassle because you have to constantly readjust the food in your mouth to chew properly. The trouble of not being able to smile or eat in public can make you feel embarrassed and hinder many of your social opportunities.
Missing multiple back teeth will impair your chewing ability, hence affecting your diet. You are not able to enjoy a wide range of food with different textures. Missing teeth on one side can force you to chew exclusively on the other side leading to excessive wear and possible joint problem due to the excess pressure on one side of the jaw. Prolonged tooth loss without replacement can also lead to changes of the jaw bone making the cheek sunk in and causing changes of the facial structures.
It is important to replace the missing tooth or teeth as soon as possible to restore aesthetics, function and prevent future complications. Jaw bone deterioration and unwanted movement of the adjacent teeth make it more complicated to restore the missing teeth if the space is left too long.
Modern technology offers many options to replace tooth loss. A consultation with one of our experienced dentists at Maidstone Dental will allow us to tailor a treatment plan that suits your goals and budgets.
If you loose a strategic front tooth due to an accident or disease and needs it replaced immediately, we offer the option of immediate replacement within 24 hours. A direct composite resin bridge or an Essix retainer with a fake tooth can be done. However, these are only temporary treatment while you wait for other permanent prosthesis to be made.
Implant is a titanium root that is inserted into your jaw bone. Implants acts as the foundation to support a crown or a bridge. This is the best option to replace a single or multiple missing teeth. They look and feel like real teeth. The process of restoring an implant supported tooth takes from 3 -12 months depending on the condition of the jaw bone.
A bridge can replace one or multiple missing teeth by attaching the missing units to the adjacent teeth on both side of the space. This is also a fixed option to replace tooth loss. The procedure takes 60 minutes to 3 weeks to complete depending on the materials and the number of missing teeth. Common materials used for a bridge are : ceramic, zirconia and resin composite.
This is a quick and affordable option to replace missing teeth. An acrylic or Cobalt-Chrome removable plate can be constructed as quickly as 3 days to replace your missing teeth. A denture can be used as a temporary option while you’re waiting for your implant or bridge or it can be used as a permanent option to replace the missing teeth.
We understand how you feel about missing teeth and we are here to help. Get in touch with us today so you can soon regain your smile , your confidence and the ability to eat whatever you like.
Blog post by Dr Tu Anh Pham
