Hey! I'm Frankie, and welcome to my dental advice blog. I'm a foodie and I love sweet treats, but I also love my teeth! It can be hard to keep your dental health in top condition when you've got a sweet tooth, but it's not impossible. Over the years, I've learned tons of great advice from friends, family members and dentists, and I'd love to share it with you. My blog is here to give you all the tips and tricks you need to stay free of decay and other tooth problems without giving up all your favourite foods and snacks.
Approximately 3–8 percent of the population suffers from congenitally missing teeth (CMC), a condition also known as hypodontia, where 1 to 6 teeth never develop. The most commonly affected teeth are the second pre-molars and the upper lateral incisors, the two teeth adjacent to the central incisors. Because this condition is genetic, there will likely be a history of missing teeth in the family of affected patients.
CMC Leads to Further Dental Issues
Patients that suffer from CMC are likely to encounter a whole host of related difficulties. Eating, speaking and chewing activities will be negatively affected. When certain teeth don't develop, this leads to malocclusion, meaning the surfaces of the teeth are unable to connect the way they should.
While it is not unheard of for CMC sufferers to live without ever treating this condition, not doing so could lead to further dental complications in future. Fortunately, modern dentistry is well equipped to deal with congenitally missing teeth. However, dental implants are superior to other treatments when treating CMC for several reasons.
Cemented Dental Bridges Damage Adjacent Teeth
When a single tooth is missing, a traditional approach to replacement is a three-unit dental bridge. However, the downside of this is that the two teeth adjacent to the prosthetic tooth must be used as anchors to support the replacement tooth. To do that, a dentist must remove some of the enamel before cementing a crown over each tooth, thus completing the bridge.
Conversely, dental implants consist of titanium rods that mimic natural teeth in that they are embedded in your jawbone. The adjacent teeth needn't be altered in any way.
Resin-Bonded Bridges Can Cause Plaque Build-up
These bridges, also known as Maryland bridges, consist of one to two false teeth with metal wings on either side. The wings are resin-bonded to the backs of the adjacent natural teeth to hold the prosthetic tooth in position. While they do appear natural, plaque tends to build up around the metal wings on the backs of teeth, speeding up tooth decay.
Like natural teeth, dental implants act alone and are impervious to tooth decay.
Dentures Cause Bone Loss
A good short-term solution is a partial denture to replace one or two missing teeth. However, because jawbone growth is stimulated by chewing forces, signalling the body that bone is required to support a tooth, dentures lead to bone loss. They cannot supply sufficient force to stimulate the growth of bone.
Dental implants, on the other hand, do stimulate jawbone growth, ensuring that sufficient chewing force is present for natural bone growth. This preserves a patient's facial structure and ensures that they have a replacement tooth that is almost as strong as a natural tooth. Dental implants also last for up to 25 years, according to research.
If you or a loved one suffers from congenitally missing teeth, see a dentist or oral surgeon to see if you qualify for dental implants. As long there is enough healthy bone present and you are in good health, dental implants are a viable option.
Share21 June 2017
