If you have one or more missing teeth and want a fuller smile, Dr. Dhara Patel offers restorative dental treatments at Best Dental Spa. Dental implants, bridges, full dentures, and partial dentures can replace one or multiple missing teeth. Treating missing teeth in our Hoffman Estates, IL office can improve the look and health of your smile. We also treat common dental concerns our patients have.
Missing Teeth Problems
You should replace missing teeth because tooth structure is necessary to support your overall oral health. In addition, if you don’t fill the gaps left by missing teeth, multiple problems can arise, including:
- Bone loss
- Tooth decay
- Speech issues
- Crooked teeth
- Shifting teeth
- Overcrowding
- Difficulty chewing
- Facial sagging
Why Replace Missing Teeth?
Missing teeth can cause more than cosmetic issues—they can affect your oral health, your ability to speak clearly, and even your self-confidence. If you’ve lost a tooth due to decay, injury, or disease, it’s important to consider replacing it. Fortunately, several options are available to restore your smile and protect your oral health.
Preventing Other Teeth from Shifting
When you lose a tooth, the remaining teeth around the gap may begin to shift or move into the space. Teeth are held in place by the pressure and alignment of the surrounding teeth, so when one tooth is missing, the others can become misaligned. This can lead to bite problems, crooked teeth, and difficulty chewing. Replacing the missing tooth with an implant, bridge, or partial denture helps maintain the alignment of your teeth, preventing them from shifting out of place.
Maintaining Proper Bite and Function
Your teeth help you bite, chew, and speak properly. A missing tooth can change how you bite, which is called your “bite alignment.” Over time, this can lead to problems with your jaw, such as TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders, as well as muscle tension and discomfort. A missing tooth can also make it harder to chew certain foods, affecting your diet and nutrition. Replacing the missing tooth restores proper bite function, allowing you to easily eat, talk, and smile.
Preventing Bone Loss in the Jaw
Protecting your jawbone is one of the most important reasons to replace missing teeth. Your jawbone relies on the pressure and stimulation from your teeth to stay strong. When a tooth is lost, the bone beneath it may deteriorate over time. This process is called bone resorption, and it can lead to further tooth loss and changes in the shape of your face.
Dental implants, in particular, can help prevent bone loss by providing the necessary stimulation to keep the bone healthy and strong. Replacing a missing tooth early can help preserve the structure of your jaw and prevent long-term damage.
Improving Your Appearance
One of the most obvious reasons to replace missing teeth is to improve your appearance. A missing tooth can make you feel self-conscious, especially if the gap is in a visible area of your mouth. It can affect your smile, making you look older or less confident. Dental implants, bridges, and dentures are designed to look like natural teeth, so replacing missing teeth can restore your smile and boost your self-esteem. Whether the missing tooth is in the front or back of your mouth, replacing it can help you feel more confident when you talk or smile.
Enhancing Your Speech
Teeth play a key role in speech, and losing one or more teeth can make it harder to pronounce certain words. You may notice your lisp or have difficulty articulating sounds properly if you’re missing teeth. For example, a missing front tooth can affect your pronunciation of “s” or “th” sounds. Replacing the missing tooth can improve your ability to speak clearly and comfortably. Whether talking to friends or family or in a professional setting, having a full set of teeth can help you communicate more effectively.
Preventing Gum Problems
When a tooth is missing, the surrounding gums may be left vulnerable to infection or irritation. The exposed area where the tooth used to be can become a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to gum disease and other oral health issues. Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant or bridge can help protect the gums by filling the gap and preventing food and bacteria from collecting in the space. Healthy gums are essential for oral health; replacing missing teeth helps keep your gums strong and free from infection.
Boosting Your Confidence and Quality of Life
Missing teeth can significantly impact your confidence and quality of life. People with missing teeth often feel self-conscious about their appearance, leading to avoiding social situations, smiling less, or even withdrawing from activities they enjoy. Replacing missing teeth can improve your smile, self-esteem, and emotional well-being. When you feel good about your appearance and your ability to speak and eat comfortably, you’re more likely to engage in social activities and enjoy life to the fullest.
Preventing Further Tooth Damage
If you leave a gap from a missing tooth untreated, the remaining teeth may take on extra pressure and wear, leading to further damage. For example, if you chew mostly on one side of your mouth to avoid using a missing tooth, the teeth on that side may wear down faster or become more prone to cavities.
Replacing the missing tooth helps distribute the pressure evenly across your teeth, reducing the risk of additional damage or decay. This helps protect your remaining teeth and saves you money in the long run by preventing the need for more complex dental work.
Restorative Treatment Options for Missing Teeth in Hoffman Estates
Due to increasing technology, tooth replacement has improved greatly in recent years. Common treatments for replacing missing teeth include dental bridges, dentures, and implants. Learn which treatment is best for you here.
Before treatment, Dr. Patel will review your budget, goals, and oral health to help you choose a treatment that works for you. Dr. Patel uses Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) for restorations involving dental implants. CBCT is integral to treatment planning and implant placement.
Dental Implants
Dr. Patel can replace single missing teeth or whole arches of teeth with dental implants to restore a beautiful, functional smile. A dental implant involves placing a tiny titanium post in the original bone pocket of the missing tooth. Then, over time, this titanium implant will bond with the bone to mimic a natural tooth and prevent bone loss.
After 3 to 6 months, Dr. Patel will cap the dental implant with a permanent abutment and dental crown. Crowns create a natural smile and appearance. With dental implants, you can eat and speak normally and comfortably, enjoying lasting dental health.
Dental Bridges
Another treatment option for replacing missing teeth is a fixed dental bridge. A bridge is a non-removable treatment we attach to the remaining natural teeth. Dr. Patel can replace one or more teeth with dental bridges.
This option can be removable, or she can secure it using dental implants. Dental bridges can also use surrounding natural teeth to secure and replace consecutive missing teeth.
With this dental prosthetic, you can prevent further tooth loss. However, it will not help retain bone in the jaw.
While a bridge is initially a lower-cost option, a dental implant can be more cost-effective in the long run. A traditional dental bridge can put you at greater risk for developing tooth decay and contribute to other dental concerns over time.
We recommend implant-supported bridges to ensure your restoration lasts. Implants also prevent the need to use natural teeth for support.
Dentures and Partials
We can replace multiple teeth or the upper and lower arches of teeth with dentures or partial dentures. Like dental bridges, dentures are removable or secured by dental implants. While removable dentures may cost less, they need rebasing and relining. Traditional dentures can also
Dr. Patel also offers All-on-Four dental implants. All-on-Four uses as few as four implants to secure an upper or lower tooth arch. Many patients also find it easier to bite and chew food with these dental restorations.
Emergency Tooth Loss
If you have just knocked out a tooth, don’t panic. Call our office for emergency dental care. At home, if you can find your lost tooth, hold it by its crown, avoiding the tooth roots. Then, gently rinse the tooth in cool water to remove any debris.
You can attempt to put the tooth back in its socket and gently bite it down. If this does not work, place the tooth in a cup of saliva. Keeping the tooth moist increases the chance that we can reattach the tooth.
If we cannot reattach the tooth, we will recommend a dental implant. The implant is the best alternative to your natural tooth because it replaces missing teeth at the root.
Missing Teeth FAQs
Learn more about missing teeth in Hoffman Estates, IL, with answers to these common questions:
What happens if you don’t replace a missing tooth?
If you do not replace a missing tooth, it can cause issues over time. In some cases, teeth may shift around the gap, causing crooked teeth. You are also more prone to many mild to severe oral health concerns, such as infections, gum disease, and oral cancer. Food and bacteria can collect in missing tooth gaps, contributing to infection.
Can I get a crown for a missing tooth?
A common option to replace a missing tooth is a crown. Crowns work to replace single or multiple teeth. They are typically used in cohesion with dental implants and are a permanent solution to missing teeth.
Are dental implants painful?
You’ll probably experience some soreness and discomfort after treatment. However, during the procedure, you are under anesthesia, so you do not feel any pain. After placing an implant, you may feel achy and tender pain in the area for a few days. We will prescribe pain medication and recommend a cold compress for swelling.
How long should I wait to replace a missing tooth?
It’s best to replace a missing tooth as soon as possible to prevent complications like bone loss, shifting teeth, and changes in bite alignment. Delaying treatment may make restoring your smile more challenging and require additional procedures, such as bone grafting.
Can missing teeth cause changes in my facial structure?
Yes, missing teeth can lead to a sunken or aged facial appearance due to bone loss and lack of support for the facial muscles. Replacing missing teeth with implants or other restorations can restore volume and improve overall facial aesthetics.
Can missing teeth be replaced if I have bone loss?
Yes, even with bone loss, missing teeth can be replaced. Options like bone grafting or specially designed implants can help rebuild the jawbone and support restorations. A prosthodontist or oral surgeon will assess your condition and recommend suitable solutions.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you have missing teeth and want to restore your confidence in your smile, contact Best Dental Spa at 847.660.6603. Our team will work with you every step of the way to ensure that treatment runs smoothly.
Call Best Dental Spa today for comprehensive missing teeth treatment. You may also schedule an appointment online. Let us know if you have lost a tooth or want to replace an old restoration. We’re here to help.
