What is the effect of missing teeth on oral health?

Missing teeth cause aesthetic, loss of function and various deformations. The missİng tooth image primarily disrupts the smile of the person, causing a decrease in self-confidence and difficulties in social relations. It also causes the lips and cheeks to collapse and wrinkle, creating an older and weaker appearance on the face. It causes the neighboring teeth to tip over in the missing tooth area, the opposing teeth to extend into the missing tooth area, and thus the chewing function to decrease. In addition, since cleaning and care will be difficult in overturned or elongated teeth, the risk of pain due to caries, sensitivity, gingivitis and loss of other teeth increases. Since the habitual chewing pattern will also change due to missing teeth, pain, noise, and locking may occur in the jaw joints. Finally, since there is no chewing function in the missing tooth area, there are thinning and melting in the jawbone, which we call resorption. Tooth deficiencies can also cause gaping between other teeth, mismatch between the midline of the teeth and the midline of the face, and an asymmetrical appearance. However, the extraction or absence of the third molar teeth (20 years old) is not considered as a missing tooth.

Do missing teeth cause the loss of other teeth?

It causes the neighboring teeth to tip over in the missing tooth area, the opposing teeth to extend into the missing tooth area, and thus the chewing function to decrease. In addition, since cleaning and care will be difficult in overturned or elongated teeth, the risk of pain due to caries, sensitivity, gingivitis and loss of other teeth increases.

Is it necessary to have teeth to replace missing teeth?

Due to the risks we mentioned, instead of missing teeth, it is necessary to have teeth as soon as possible after tooth loss.

Can an implant be made to replace a missing tooth?

Implant is the healthiest treatment alternative that can be applied to replace the missing tooth. It is also frequently preferred by dentists and our patients due to its advantages of implants and comfort superiority compared to conventional prosthetic treatments. Extremely inflamed, defects in the jawbone, etc. Implants can be applied to replace missing teeth, except for the teeth that have formed conditions. As a timing, the implant can be applied with tooth extraction or after the soft and hard tissue healing of the extraction area is completed. At this point, the time of implantation is decided by considering the factors that vary from person to person and from tooth to tooth.

What treatments can be used to replace missing teeth?

According to the number of missing teeth and their position in the mouth, classical bridges and removable removable full or partial dentures or Implant treatment, which is more preferred today due to its advantages, can be applied.

Kayseri Hospital

Oral, Dental and Maxillofacial Surgeon Specialist

Dr. Dila CELIKKOL