There are a number of reasons that a person may have one or more missing teeth. Genetic factors can cause congenitally missing teeth through generations of a family. This simply means that the tooth just never develops. Additionally, patients can lose a tooth from accident or injury, gum disease, and tooth decay. Let's take a closer look at factors that can cause missing teeth.
Accident or Injury
Contact sports are a common way for patients to get a tooth knocked out. Sometimes, the tooth can be put back in the socket and can actually heal and be perfectly fine for the rest of the patient's life. Other times, the tooth may not be viable or there may be too much damage to the socket and the tooth will need to be replaced with a dental prosthesis.
Likewise, if a patient suffers a fall or car accident, a tooth could be damaged and even if it is not knocked out, may need to be replaced.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay left unattended can cause a patient to lose a tooth. There are a number of options to restore a cavity in a tooth before it gets too big to be managed so it is important to visit your dentist regularly to stay on top of any issues. A small area of decay may need a simple filling but if it is not treated in a timely manner, the decay will only get larger and put the patient at risk of needing an extraction.
Gum Disease
Much like tooth decay, gum disease can be a simple fix if caught early. The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis and is relatively easy to come back from. Gingivitis is indicated by tender, puffy gums that bleed during brushing and flossing. Gingivitis can be cleared up with a simple professional cleaning and a little improvement in your oral care routine at home. However, left untreated, gingivitis will progress overtime to more severe stages of gum disease which are not as simple to treat.
Advanced periodontitis is the most severe stage of gum disease. At this point, bacteria and plaque have invaded the gum tissue to a point that the tissue actually begins to recede from the teeth, exposing the roots and even leading to bone deterioration in the jaw. Once the bone begins to resorb, tooth mobility is inevitable which can then lead to tooth loss.
Treating Missing Teeth
There are a number of restorative options for treating a missing tooth. A dental implant is one of the best ways to replace one or more missing teeth. An implant is an artificial tooth route that is surgically placed directly into the jaw bone. An implant crown is then screwed down onto the implant.
Another great option is a dental bridge. A bridge uses neighboring teeth to support a fake tooth instead of an implant. If you need to replace one tooth, the most common bridge type is a three tooth bridge which is made up of two dental crowns that are attached on each side of a fake tooth, called a pontic.
You may also be a candidate for a partial denture which works just like a dental bridge but is removable.
If you suffer a tooth loss, speak with your dentist as soon as possible to make sure the site is healthy and healing. They will be able to provide treatment options to replace the tooth and help you decide which treatment is right for you!