The teeth are durable and made of strong stuff, but even the most careful people can experience accidents which cause them to lose teeth. Teeth are lost all the time, whether it be through sporting activities, accidents or injuries or as a result of gum disease or medical treatment for an underlying health condition, but thankfully, there is a range of treatments available for missing teeth.

Why is it important to replace missing teeth?

If you have a missing tooth or a number of missing teeth this can have implications for the look of your smile, as well as the function of your mouth, so it is always beneficial to replace missing teeth. Gaps in the smile affect your overall appearance and this can cause you to suffer from low confidence and embarrassment when you smile in public; spaces also increase the risk of oral diseases and encourage the neighbouring teeth to move, which may have negative implications for your bite.

If you are missing teeth, you may also find it difficult to chew properly and your speech may be affected. The teeth are also responsible for supporting the cheeks and lips and you may find that your cheeks start to sag slightly if you have a number of missing teeth.

What are the options?

There are many options for replacing missing teeth. The best long-term solution for a missing tooth is a dental implant, which is designed to replace the root section of the missing tooth. The implant is screwed into a socket in the jaw bone and once it has healed, either a dental bridge or crown can be attached to it, then the tooth will look exactly the same as a natural tooth.

Dental implants are expensive and for those who are looking for a less costly solution, a dental bridge may be the answer. Dental bridges comprise a false tooth, known as a pontic, which is used to the neighbouring teeth to fill a gap. If they are well looked-after, dental bridges can last for several years.

Dentures are a very effective solution for missing teeth, especially if you have a large number of teeth missing. Dentures are sets of false teeth, which are designed to look like natural teeth. Dentures restore function to the mouth, enabling you to eat and speak normally and they also create an attractive smile, so you can feel confident when you open your mouth.

If you have missing teeth and would like to discuss treatment options please contact us at Dublin18 Dental Care near Dublin18 for more information.