Living with a missing tooth isn’t really a pleasant experience. Aside from being downright embarrassing and uncomfortable, not many realize how harmful a single missing tooth can be to your oral health. This is why dentists consider it fundamental to replace the missing tooth immediately with dental implants, bridges, or partial removable dentures.

Suffice to say, if you have a missing tooth, then it would advisable to seek cosmetic dentistry in Pune to save yourself unnecessary pain in the future.

The Consequences of Missing Tooth

1. Loose or Shifting Teeth

Every single tooth in your mouth has a significant role to play. When in a row, as they should be, each tooth can keep the other lined up and stable in your mouth. With a tooth missing, you risk the chance of the teeth shifting from their natural position. These drifting teeth can considerably change your bite and also lead to potential gum disease and tooth decay.

2. Severe TMJ Disorder

TMJ, or temporomandibular joints, are muscles in your mouth that help you chew and rotate your jaw. A missing tooth can affect these muscles and cause agonizing pain. Although TMJ disorder can be treated, the best possible cure to this issue is prevention by replacing a missing tooth on time.

3. Affect Mental Health

A missing tooth is no fun when you are trying to chew with a big hole in your mouth. It can be an irritating, stressful and painful experience. A missing tooth can also affect one’s speech pattern, resulting in the loss of self-confidence. Needless to say, missing teeth can affect your mental health in direct and indirect ways.

4. Affect your Facial Appearance

It is widely believed that a missing tooth can result in the muscles in your mouth shifting, thus affecting your appearance. Worst case scenario, this sudden shift can make you look much older than you are. Replacing a tooth will make sure your face doesn’t change dramatically.

Causes of Tooth Loss

There are many reasons behind tooth loss. For the sake of this piece, we would like to highlight some of the most prominent of these causes below

  • Gum disease, which can be characterized by severe inflammation and bacteria growth in the gums, is a major cause of tooth loss.
  • Cavities caused by a long build-up of plaque can result in tooth decay.
  • Physical trauma or accidents directly afflicting the jaw is another prominent reason behind people losing their teeth.
  • Other diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, etc. are also responsible.
  • Smoking and poor nutrition can drastically impact one’s oral health to the point at which they might end up losing teeth.

What are My Tooth Replacement Options?

1. Dental Implants

Dental Implants are one of the most common and effective ways to replace a missing tooth. They serve as permanent, lifelong replacement with no regular dentist visits required. They have a natural appearance and give you the same feel. They can, however, be a bit expensive.

2. Bridges

Dental Bridges are a more economical alternative to implants. They are also equally, if not more, effective than dental implants. On the downside, bridges aren’t really a permanent solution and you will need to replace them. As such, you can expect recurring visits to the dentist with these replacements on.

3. Removable Partial Dentures

These types of replacements are recommended for those who are missing a few teeth. They are even cheaper than both implants and bridges. They are also very easy to replace and repair, if need be. Their application is also simple, requiring only the addition of metal clasps. On the flip side, these replacements are very uncomfortable. You will have to remove and clean them on a daily basis.

4. Flippers

These are temporary replacements that have the ability to flip in and out of their placements in the mouth. They are cheap, painless, and can serve as temporary replacements until your permanent ones are ready. That being said, they are also very uncomfortable.

If you have a missing tooth, we suggest not wasting any more time and seeking help from Sweet Smile Dental Clinic – home to the best cosmetic dentist in Pune.

Contact us now to learn how we can help.