Losing teeth is a psychological and physical adjustment that can significantly alter esthetics and function. People missing teeth are often stereotyped and worry about the problems of losing more teeth. In fact, studies show that someone who looks good is favored in many ways.
So we pay for dental work trying to save teeth—only to end up losing one tooth at a time, spending a lot of money, and ending up in dentures or partial dentures. Crown and bridgework is sometimes an option, but most don’t realize that teeth must be cut down in order to have a crown or a bridge. This is particularly alarming when these teeth do not have any cavities or fillings.
Loss of teeth results in bone loss in the jaw and continued deterioration of the supporting structures of the face. When one tooth is lost the adjacent teeth can drift, move, or “erupt” out of their position. The collapse of the bite and facial structures leads to other problems that can be difficult or impossible to fix without losing more teeth. The jawbone will change to the point that discomfort, pain, sinus deterioration, or numbness can occur. Furthermore, very few people realize that crowns and bridges are not permanent solutions and can often require replacement, root canals, surgery, or eventual tooth extraction. The lifespan of a crown is estimated at 15 years and bridges at 10-14 years. Most people expect their crowns to last forever and are surprised when they have to replace them.
The best solution for those worried about tooth loss is the permanent placement of dental implants. Implants can be used to replace one or more missing teeth—up to your entire mouth of teeth.
If you have lost one or more teeth and are concerned about losing more, you should be aware of the health risks associated with denture solutions. Find out additional information by visiting our page wearing dentures.