Nowadays, we are lucky to have access to modern dental care, adapted to our specific needs. We may consult a dentist so that an oral problem may be diagnosed and treated quickly. Nevertheless, it happens that some people lose permanent teeth in adulthood, especially because of an untreated oral disease or an accident. Therefore, our team wanted to address tooth loss in adults, and more particularly 2 false beliefs that concern it.
Misconception #1: it is normal to lose teeth as you age
We used to see the dentist as a ‘‘teeth puller’’. As a matter of fact, it was common to pull out all the teeth and replace them with a dental prosthesis (denture). In addition, dental extractions were widely used for curative purposes, that is when a tooth was diseased.
Nowadays, dentistry has mainly preventive purposes, meaning that we always seek to prevent the development of pathologies, such as cavities and gum diseases. When, despite everything, a problem appears, we may treat it quickly to preserve the integrity of all structures of the mouth. Thus, the extraction of permanent teeth in adults are treatments of last resort, which are carried out when a tooth is no longer viable and its retention on the jaw poses a risk for the rest of the teeth.
Hence, it is possible to age and keep all our teeth. To do so, however, you must adopt an effective oral hygiene routine, while making sure to visit the dentist regularly for professional cleaning and routine dental examination.
Misconception #2: tooth loss only has aesthetic consequences
We may think, wrongfully, that losing teeth only has consequences in terms of the appearance of the smile. However, this is far from being the case! As a matter of fact, spaces left in the dentition then become susceptible to accumulating food residues and bacteria. This increases the risk of developing gum problems or seeing cavities appear on the remaining teeth.
Moreover, you should know that our teeth form a balanced whole, meaning each tooth is held in place by the presence of neighboring teeth and the tooth on the opposite jaw. Thus, when one or more teeth are lost, the remaining ones inevitably seek to fill the spaces, which leads to unwanted dental displacements. In the longer term, this may be seriously affecting the balance of the dentition.
Finally, let us mention that the presence of the roots of natural teeth stimulates the alveolar bone of the jaw, in which they are firmly implanted. However, when you lose a tooth, this part of the bone stops being stimulated. Then follows a bone resorption, which is a decrease in the volume of the bone, which may lead to premature aging of the lower face.
Consult us for the replacement of missing teeth
In addition to numerous preventive treatments that are offered, modern dentistry also offers several options for restoring and replacing missing teeth. Among these, we find dental implants, small titanium screws that are placed within the jawbone during surgery. They may then be topped with several types of dental restorations, depending on the number of teeth to be replaced. Implants stand out for their versatility, durability and stability.
If you have missing teeth, the Dents Mon Quartier team is committed to drawing up a personalized treatment plan and presenting you with replacement options that meet your needs and your budget.
Approved by Dre Charouk
Dr. Joumana Charouk, D.M.D, is proud to offer her patients exceptional care that combines experience, efficiency and good humor.
Dre Joumana Charouk, D.M.D