A missing tooth is a problem that needs to be dealt with quickly. Leaving a gap doesn’t just ruin your smile it could also prove difficult to chew, eat, or even talk. There are a number of ways to replace a lost tooth or teeth but one of the most common procedures is to have a dental implant surgically implanted into the open space. It will allow you to resume normal routines of eating and speaking and they will also look and feel just like the tooth you lost.

But deciding on whether or not to have the procedure relies mainly on you. Most people are good candidates for receiving a dental implant as long as they can meet the following criteria.

Bone Support

Losing a tooth can also compromise the amount of bone available to accommodate the replacement. A dental implant relies on a post that is installed into the jaw and if you have a significant loss of bone mass in the affected area, you may not be able to support a dental implant. That doesn’t necessarily mean you are out of options, some patients will have the jawbone reconstructed so that there is sufficient area in which to anchor the implant.

Potential for Gum Disease

Healthy gums are a vital component to the successful installation of a dental implant. They are necessary for a full recovery from the surgery to ensure that the gum heals around the replacement tooth properly and tightly. If a patient is at risk for gum disease, the surgery may not prove to be successful and the implant could be loose or fall out completely. Infections are another major health risk to having dental implant surgery with gums that are at risk for periodontitis and other forms of gum disease. Your dentist will need to do a full examination of your teeth and gums to determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants.

Age of the Patient

Age can be a factor that might prevent some patients from getting the implant surgery. Some children may be too young to have the procedure as their jawbone is still growing and some seniors may have too much bone loss to properly anchor an implant. But while age can be a factor, maintaining proper dental hygiene is far more important. So a candidate of any age must be committed to routine brushing and flossing and regular follow-ups with your dentist after the procedure.

Tooth loss can happen for any number of reasons. Whether you’ve lost your natural teeth or had them intentionally removed for medical reasons, replacing them will be of paramount importance. Depending on the amount of teeth that are missing there are various options available to you and implants could be the solution. One of the most common questions patients ask when considering their options relates to the practicality of relying on implants to replace large numbers of teeth. While most people are familiar with the concept of having one or two implants surgically installed, many are unaware that all of their teeth can be replaced with implants.

Dentures vs. Implants

Patients who have suffered a significant amount of tooth loss must consult with their dentist to decide if implants are the way to go or if another solution such as dentures is the better option. Dentures are a temporary alternative that can be removed from the mouth daily. Since they are not anchored to the bone, dentures may move around, become dislodged and cause discomfort to the gums. Implants, on the other hand, are designed to be permanent fixtures in the mouth and look, feel, and behave more like normal teeth.

Choosing Implants

Patients who opt to go with implants to replace their teeth must be considered a good candidate for the procedure. In order to determine if the surgery will be a success your dentist will conduct a full examination first. That may include X-rays to assess if you have proper bone mass to support anchoring for the implants and checking the gums to see if they are healthy enough to heal properly after the procedure takes place. Patients at high risk for gum diseases may be denied the surgical procedure, as the implants won’t heal correctly.

Replacing All Teeth

If you opt for implants to replace all of the teeth in your mouth, special implant-supported bridges or dentures will need to be implanted in your mouth. Posts are anchored to the jaw just the same as with singular implants. But unlike the standard versions of those appliances, these versions are rooted to the jaw for permanent placement. This alternative also preserves the bone in your jaw, preventing it from erosion that could result from traditional dentures. Bone erosion can occur at the areas where there is no tooth rooted to the jaw and it may start to resorb in those locations.

Hypodontia is a condition in which a person has missing teeth because these failed to develop at the right time. Also known as tooth agenesis, it includes people who are missing up to five permanent teeth. Third molars are not counted, so only individuals missing other permanent teeth are considered to have hypodontia. If someone is missing six or more permanent teeth, the condition is called oligodontia.

Hypodontia Is Common

One of the most common dental development anomalies in humans, hypodontia comes in a couple of different forms. Syndromic hypodontia is caused by a systemic syndrome or condition, and isolated hypodontia is not related to any syndrome. Diagnosing the condition requires x-rays. Examinations of six-year-olds can determine if they have hypodontia, which may be diagnosed due to delayed teeth eruptions, persistence of primary teeth, and alveolar bone hypotrophy.

Why People Get Hypodontia

The condition can be genetic, so one may be missing teeth if there are anomalies in the genes involved in teeth development. In fact, genetics is the most common cause. Other causes include trauma, infection, chemotherapeutic agents, and radiation therapy. Pregnant women on thalidomide have delivered babies with hypodontia as well.
In the case of missing isolated teeth, the cause isn’t always known. The thinking is this can be related to genetic factors or something in the environment. Reports have also associated the condition with increased maternal age, so older mothers may have a higher risk of delivering babies with hypodontia. It’s also associated with Down syndrome and a condition known as ectodermal dysplasia. Other factors include an embryo being infected with the rubella virus, low birth weight, or if a mother has had multiple births.

Treatments for Hypodontia

Several treatments are available, which include the use of prosthetics such as fixed or removable partial dentures, and over dentures. Retainers, braces, and other fixed appliances are used as part of orthodontic treatment for the condition. Long term management is often the strategy. Dental professionals also recommend good oral hygiene and a healthy diet, but hypodontia treatments are highly recommended to address aesthetics and the potential for psychological impacts in people with it.

A similar condition is hyperdontia, which means there are more teeth in a person’s mouth than there should be. For cases where there is a reduced number of teeth, you may hear terms such as agnesis of teeth, congenital missing teeth, aplasia of teeth, and others that might not seem familiar. Your dentist will explain what it means if you have hypodontia or another related condition.

You suddenly notice something doesn’t feel right in your mouth. A quick check in the mirror and a poke of your finger reveal an adult tooth is loose. You quickly think back to childhood, knowing a loose baby tooth is sure to fall out. That’s not necessarily the case with an adult tooth. There are many things that can be done to secure the tooth and allow it to heal.

Many adults will experience loose teeth at some point in their lives. It can happen at any age. An injury to the mouth, tooth grinding, or gum disease can affect the stability of the tooth and its socket. If you’ve been hit in the jaw and the injury doesn’t seem that severe, you could wait a few days to see if the tooth tightens up. This often happens as the swelling subsides and stretched periodontal ligaments heal.

How Dentists Treat Loose Adult Teeth

A dentist’s first reaction is not going to pull out the loose tooth, because most of the time it can be treated. They’ll diagnose the problem through a physical exam and x-rays. Once the see what is wrong and what’s causing the tooth to be loose, they can choose a treatment that will help you.

One of the most common loose tooth treatments is tooth splinting. A splint is bonded to the loose tooth and other ones that are stable, which keeps it in place until the healing process is complete. That can take a few days to a couple of weeks.

Teeth grinding is another reason adult teeth become loose. The high forces and constant strain while you are sleeping can injure your teeth enough for them to loosen, but a mouth guard can be worn to prevent loose teeth or stabilize those that become loose. Dentists will also look for gum disease, which will require a deep cleaning to get all the bacteria out of the gums and remove plaque build-up from between the teeth. Once the gums are clean, they can become healthier and your loose teeth will tighten up.

Changing the Biting Forces

Excess force is a common cause for loose teeth. If grinding isn’t the cause for the problem, the dentist can reshape the affected tooth and the one that is contacting it. Modifying the forces on the teeth facilitates healing. A loose adult tooth may not be as perilous as you think; your dentist may have simple treatments that will allow it to heal.

There is now a great deal of evidence that links gum disease to a variety of serious health issues. Treatable problems such as gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, and periodontitis, a more serious condition where the gums pull away from the teeth, can lead to more trouble down the road. Bad breath, mild swelling, or bleeding gums are often ignored. However, these signs should not be ignored as they can lead to systemic chronic infections and serious diseases.

Active Bacterial Infections Spread from the Mouth to the Body

Gum disease is an active bacterial infection. If bacteria leave the confines of the oral cavity, they can colonize other parts of the body and fester. In fact, research has shown the plaque that builds up on teeth consists of the same bacteria found in the arteries of people with heart disease.

Bacteria can easily get into the bloodstream from the mouth. The body’s response to inflammation and bacterial attack is a concern as well. Not only can gum disease lead to tooth loss and destruction of flesh and bone tissue. It can affect the body’s ability to fight off other infections, and cause toxins to enter the blood. There’s also evidence bacteria from the oral cavity can attack and kill white blood cells.

The Effects of Chronic Inflammation

If inflammation becomes chronic, it can eventually lead to an array of diseases. These include but are not limited to heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer. The incidence of these diseases and gum problems has been strongly correlated. Therefore, the risk of developing heart problems, stroke, and even pneumonia is higher if you have an untreated gum disease.
How to Avoid Health Issues Related to Gum Disease

You can potentially avoid heart, lung, and immunological and other problems by maintaining your oral health. Brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings can remove plaque and tartar so bacteria don’t fester. A proper diet rich in minerals can help your body deal with oral bacteria. You should care for your immune system as well, which can be done by properly dealing with stress, avoiding smoking, and getting enough sleep.

It is important to remember your mouth isn’t isolated from the rest of the body. Unchecked problems such as gum disease can lead to serious health issues down the road. Let that be an incentive to tend to oral hygiene on a daily basis.