Many of our patients visit our Dallas dental office to see what can be done about their missing teeth. Tooth loss happens for many reasons, including facial injury, gum disease, tooth decay, or genetics. With today’s advances in dental healthcare, you don’t have to deal with missing teeth for long. Regardless of why you’re missing one or more teeth, Dr. Huckin can assist you in providing both functional and attractive treatment options to restore your smile.
Replacing Missing Teeth in Dallas
From dental implants to a full set of dentures, we can help patients restore their smiles. Restoring a missing tooth can help prevent further tooth loss and teeth shifting. Additionally, it can also help to improve your natural bite, speaking, and chewing patterns. An experienced restorative dentist in Dallas, Dr. Huckin offers his patients a wide range of tooth replacement solutions, including:
- Dental Implants: The most natural way to replace a single missing tooth is through a dental implant. This process involves a small titanium screw that’s surgically implanted into the jaw bone. Once the implant fuses with the bone, a dental crown is placed on top of it. This allows the dental implant to look and function like a natural tooth.
- Dentures and Partials: Dentures and partials are used to replace a full arch or full set of missing teeth. Our dentures are made of high-quality dental porcelain and are designed to look like real teeth.
- Dental Bridge: A dental bridge is commonly used to replace several consecutive missing teeth. In this process, Dr. Huckin removes a substantial amount of tooth enamel from adjacent teeth. These teeth anchor the dental bridge in place.
Following a thorough evaluation, Dr. Huckin will discuss these options with you to find what will best meet your needs and goals for your smile.
Why Replace Missing Teeth?
Even if you’re only missing one tooth, it has a detrimental impact on your oral health without a replacement. When the tooth root is missing, the jawbone starts to deteriorate in the area where the tooth was. Your entire face starts to sag in this area as well. A sagging face can age you many years past your actual age. A replacement helps to fill your face back out and give it a more youthful appearance.
When a tooth is missing, the teeth around it want to fill in the gap. They shift around, trying to fill in the gap it created. If you’ve previously had teeth straightening treatment, that can be reversed because of the freedom the rest of the teeth now have to move around.
If you’re missing one tooth, you’re also more likely to lose more teeth. Missing teeth make you more likely to suffer from further oral health problems. You have more chances of plaque and tartar buildup, leading to tooth decay and gum disease.
Depending on where your missing tooth is located, it can be difficult to speak or eat the foods you want to. You might have to change your diet because of your missing tooth. If the missing tooth is located in the front of your mouth, it can impact your self-confidence. You don’t want to show off your smile if you’re embarrassed by a missing tooth.
Missing Teeth FAQs
How common is it to have missing teeth?
It’s actually very common for people to be born without certain teeth. This is one of the most frequent oral health issues people develop. Researchers estimate that about 1 in 5 adults are born without at least one permanent tooth.
The most commonly missing teeth are the wisdom teeth, but it can also happen with the second premolars and the upper lateral incisors. So, you’re definitely not alone if you have a missing tooth.
Does losing back teeth change your face?
Yes, losing any tooth, including your back teeth, can actually change the shape of your face over time. Your teeth are important for supporting the structure of your lower face. When you lose a tooth, the teeth next to it can slowly tilt and drift into the empty space.
This shift creates a misaligned bite and can also cause your cheeks to look sunken in. This loss of support is why people who have lost several teeth often look older than they actually are.
What happens to the jaw when teeth are removed?
When a tooth is removed, the section of your jawbone that held that tooth in place is no longer being used. Just like a muscle that isn’t exercised, this bone begins to shrink and weaken in a process called resorption. This bone loss can weaken the foundation for neighboring teeth because the jawbone underneath has changed shape. It also explains why dentures that fit perfectly at first can become loose and uncomfortable after a few years.
At what age do adults start losing teeth?
Adults can lose permanent teeth at any age because of reasons like accidents, gum disease, or severe decay. However, significant tooth loss is most commonly seen in adults over the age of 50. The risk of gum disease, a leading cause of tooth loss, increases as we get older.
Remember is that tooth loss isn’t an inevitable part of aging. With good daily hygiene and regular dental check-ups, you can work to keep your teeth for life.
Visit for a Dental Exam Today
If you’re missing one or more teeth we understand your desire to restore your smile as soon as possible. Not only are missing teeth a cosmetic issue, but they can have significant effects on your surrounding healthy teeth and your daily life. We have many treatment options to meet your tooth replacement needs. To visit our compassionate, highly-trained and experienced dental care team in Dallas, contact Dr. Huckin’s office today.