Replacing a lost tooth, or teeth, quickly is important for maintaining a healthy, functional smile that enables you to enjoy a good quality of life each day. Tooth loss without replacement of missing teeth can lead to serious oral health complications. Even a single missing tooth can disrupt your life significantly.
Dr. Brent Engelberg is a highly trained and experienced restorative and cosmetic dentist and offers the most advanced treatment options for replacing missing teeth in his Arlington Heights dental practice. Dr. Engelberg works with patients on an individual basis to help them choose the best solution for their unique needs, goals, and budget. Replacing missing teeth will restore your dental health – and your confidence!
Missing Teeth Treatment Options
During consultations, Dr. Engelberg will assess your dental health and discuss what goals you are looking to achieve. Based on your preferences and oral health needs, he will determine the treatment option(s) most suitable for you. Treatments for replacing your missing teeth can include:
- Dentures: For patients missing all of their upper or lower arch of teeth, we offer cosmetic dentures for a comfortable fit and a natural-looking smile. Dentures can be secured with dental implants for a permanent solution that provides superior patient satisfaction and lasting results.
- Dental implants: Recommended for a single tooth or to secure a denture, dental implants provide the most natural-looking and functioning tooth replacement.
- Dental bridge: A dental bridge can replace one or several teeth and is secured by a dental implant or natural tooth strengthened by a dental crown.
Risks of Not Replacing Missing Teeth
Losing a tooth can feel like no big deal, especially if it’s in the back where no one can see it. But missing teeth can lead to serious problems if they aren’t replaced. Your teeth do more than help you chew—they also support your jaw, gums, and even your face shape. Leaving a gap in your smile can cause long-term damage to your mouth and overall health.
Shifting Teeth and Bite Problems
When a tooth is missing, the teeth next to the space may begin to shift. They can move out of place, tilt, or grow into the gap. This movement can lead to a crooked smile and a misaligned bite. Over time, bite problems can cause pain in your jaw, make it harder to chew, and increase the risk of damaging other teeth.
Bone Loss in the Jaw
Your teeth help keep your jawbone strong. When you chew, your tooth roots send signals to the jawbone that keep it healthy and active. If you lose a tooth and don’t replace it, that jaw area stops getting those signals. As a result, the bone can start to shrink or break down. This is called bone loss, which can weaken your jaw and change the shape of your face.
Gum Problems and Infection Risk
Gaps left by missing teeth can trap food and bacteria, increasing your risk of gum disease. Infections can develop and spread to nearby teeth and even into the jawbone. Gum disease, if not treated, can lead to more tooth loss and other health problems.
Difficulty Chewing and Speaking
Missing teeth can make it hard to eat certain foods, especially crunchy or chewy ones. You might start avoiding healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and nuts, which can affect your overall health. Gaps can also affect your speech. You might have trouble pronouncing certain words or sounds clearly, hurting your confidence when talking to others.
Changes in Your Appearance
When teeth are missing, your face may start to sag or look older. The skin around your mouth loses support, and your lips may sink inward. This can change the shape of your face and affect your self-esteem. Replacing missing teeth helps maintain your facial structure and keeps your smile natural.
Common Causes of Missing Teeth
Many adults lose one or more teeth during their lifetime. While some people may think it’s just a normal part of aging, there are many different reasons why adults lose their teeth. Some causes can be prevented with good dental care, while others happen due to injury or illness.
Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease)
One of the main causes of missing teeth in adults is gum disease. This infection starts in the gums and spreads to the bone that supports your teeth. In its early stage, called gingivitis, your gums may become red, swollen, or bleed when you brush. If not treated, it can turn into periodontitis, which damages the bone and tissues around the teeth. Eventually, teeth may become loose and fall out or need to be removed.
Tooth Decay (Cavities)
Tooth decay is another major reason adults lose teeth. Cavities are caused by bacteria that eat away at the tooth’s enamel. If left untreated, the decay can reach the inside of the tooth and cause an infection. Sometimes, the tooth becomes too damaged to save and must be pulled. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups can help prevent cavities and protect your teeth.
Injury or Trauma
Accidents can also lead to tooth loss. A fall, a sports injury, or a car accident can knock a tooth loose or damage it so badly that it cannot be saved. Wearing a mouthguard during sports and taking safety precautions can lower the risk of injury to your teeth.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Not brushing and flossing regularly can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Over time, plaque builds up on the teeth and hardens into tartar, which is harder to remove. Without proper care, this buildup can damage your teeth and gums and lead to tooth loss.
Health Conditions and Medications
Certain health problems can increase the risk of losing teeth. Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis can weaken your bones and gums. Some medications can also reduce saliva, which helps protect your teeth. Without enough saliva, your mouth becomes dry and more prone to decay and infection.
Smoking and Tobacco Use
Smoking is a major risk factor for gum disease and tooth loss. It reduces blood flow to the gums and makes it harder for your mouth to fight infections. Smokers are much more likely to lose their teeth than non-smokers.
Missing Teeth FAQs
Even one missing tooth can have a big impact on your oral health. Read the answers to these commonly asked questions to learn more.
How can I prevent tooth loss?
Sometimes, you can’t prevent a missing tooth if you experience dental trauma. However, in most cases, you can save your teeth with good lifestyle habits. We recommend brushing and flossing, avoiding sugary foods and drinks, drinking enough water, and visiting the dentist regularly. Preventive oral health care both at home and from your dentist will keep your teeth strong enough to resist potential issues that can progress and lead to tooth loss.
Does losing back teeth change your face?
Missing back teeth can change the shape and structure of your face. Losing one or more molars at the back of the mouth can create a sagging appearance in a patient’s face. Tooth loss may also lead to bone deterioration in the jaw, which can further affect the structure of the face over time, changing your overall appearance.
Can I lose more teeth if I already have a missing tooth?
Losing more teeth is possible if you have a single missing tooth. If you lose a tooth due to a dental infection, the infection can spread to other teeth. You can lose more teeth if underlying dental conditions like gum disease or tooth decay cause your initial tooth loss. Missing teeth may also put you at a greater risk of developing these dental problems, which will increase your chances of losing more teeth.
How long can you go without a tooth implant?
It is recommended that patients wait at least ten weeks before having an implant put in after losing or having a tooth extracted. This gives the mouth and gum tissue adequate time to heal. You should consult with your dentist as soon as you can after losing a tooth to learn the best time to begin your implant dentistry treatment.
How long will it take to replace a missing tooth?
The length of time it will take to restore your smile after losing a tooth will vary depending on the type of treatment you pursue. Your dentist can provide you with removable dentures within a few weeks. It can take between three and six months to complete dental implant treatment. The implant dentistry process will involve a healing period after the placement of implanted anchors before you can receive your dental prosthetics.
How much does it cost to replace missing teeth?
The cost of your treatment will depend on the number of missing teeth and the type of restoration you choose. While dental implants can cost more than removable dentures or traditional bridges, they last longer. It is also less costly to replace a single lost tooth with a dental implant than full arches of missing teeth with multiple implants.
Schedule a dental exam with Dr. Engelberg today.
The first step to restoring your smile and dental health in the wake of tooth loss is a consultation with Dr. Engelberg in his Arlington Heights dental office. Call AH Smiles at (847) 230-9703. AH Smiles serves many local neighborhoods near Long Grove, Deerfield, Northbrook, Buffalo Grove, and Arlington Heights.