Help Me With
Missing Teeth
Missing teeth can make it hard for you to enjoy things in life. Let’s make you proud of your smile again!
Replacing your tooth or teeth can help to enhance your smile – and your confidence. It may also improve how you chew and speak. There are a number of ways missing teeth can be restored. These include dental implants, mini implants, fixed bridges, removable or implant dentures. Talk with your dentist about the options available.
Dental implants
If you need to replace a single tooth or if you’re missing several teeth in different areas of your mouth, a dental implant might be the right option for you. It provides a permanent base for a replacement tooth.
With this treatment, an implant or screw is placed into your jaw and a replacement crown is placed on top of the implant. It looks like a natural tooth and can last for many years and shouldn’t affect any of the surrounding teeth.
Implant dentures
While regular dentures rest on the gums, implant dentures are replacement teeth that are supported by – and attached to – implants in your jaw. This treatment is used if there aren’t any teeth in the jaw but there is enough bone in the jaw to support the implants. This treatment is provided not just in our Vancouver clinic but also in Surrey area with our Surrey dentists and in Langley with professional Langley dentists.
Fixed bridge
If you’re missing one or more teeth in the same area, a fixed bridge might work for you. As the name suggests, this solution bridges a gap from a missing tooth.
An artificial tooth is supported by the surrounding natural teeth and bonded to these with dental cement. A dental bridge looks and feels like natural teeth.
FAQ
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How much will it cost to replace a missing tooth?
The price depends on a few things such as:
- Where in your mouth the tooth or teeth are missing
- Why they are missing
- Potential problems that could develop.
Does it matter if I have missing teeth?
Sometimes, having a missing tooth or teeth has little impact. From a visual stand point, the missing tooth may be hiding in the back so you won’t see it in your smile but it could have an impact on your bite and how you break down food.
If you compensate for a missing tooth in the way you use your mouth, your jaw and facial muscles may be affected. Missing teeth may alter the shape of your face over time.
Why is replacing missing teeth important?
By adulthood, most of us have a full set of 32 teeth. By middle-age, around 45 to 65 years old however, many of us will have a missing tooth or teeth. This is generally due to gum disease, or periodontitis, tooth decay and injury. Every one of your 32 teeth plays an important role. They help to chew and eat, to speak clearly and of course to complete your smile. Teeth are also important in retaining the structure of your mouth and shape of your face. If one or more teeth are missing, these functions can be impaired. Talk to your dentist about your situation and the potential solutions.
I’ve had an accident and lost a tooth, what should I do?
Get to a dentist as soon as you can. If you can’t get to an emergency dentist, go to the emergency department at the hospital. If you lost your tooth in an accident, do try to find the tooth and bring it with you. Your dentist will assess the situation and aim to treat you as soon as possible.
I have loose teeth, what should I do?
If you have had an accident, injury or blow to the face or head and have loose teeth, see your dentist as soon as possible. They will be able to assess your teeth and discuss what treatment they recommend. There may be no treatment required. But if a loose tooth isn’t seen to, there is a risk that the tooth may die or fall out later on.
Can I prevent losing my teeth?
Sometimes it’s just out of our control. Accidents and injuries do happen. But when it comes to gum disease and decay as causes of missing teeth, there are things you can do. The big one is taking good care of your oral health. That means a combination of at-home dental care and building a great relationship with your dentist.
We recommend daily healthy habits and regular visits to the dentist. For optimum oral health:
- Practice good oral hygiene habits at home including brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day
- Book hygiene visits with your dental hygienist at least twice each year
- Book routine exam and x-rays visits with your dentist once each year
We know that when you look after your oral health properly with regular preventative care, you’ll be less likely to need to see a dentist in an emergency. You’re also likely to spend less money at the dentist over time.