What is the impact of teeth loss on the psychology & social life of an individual?
The structure of The impacted tooth and the surrounding bone is first analysed with intra oral X-rays( radiographs)
Removing an impacted tooth is a minor surgery. To begin with, the region is made numb with local anaesthesia. The covering tissues are reflected with an incision and the tooth and bone are exposed. The obstructing bone is gently drilled and then tooth is removed with elevators and forceps
At the end the soft tissue ends are sutured to close the socket and allow for healing of the site.
Pressure packs and instructions are given after the surgery
What are the various treatment modalities to replace missing teeth?
Various methods to replace missing teeth are:
Removable Partial Denture
Fixed Partial Denture
Implants
What is a bridge?
Bridge or fixed partial denture is the most popular system to replace missing teeth.
A bridge is meant to replace missing teeth by bridging the gap b/w two remaining teeth. crowns fixed onto the adjacent teeth are fused to artificial tooth/teeth that are going to replace missing teeth.
What are the advantages of a bridge?
A bridge is natural in appearance They are stable & don't have to be taken out the way a removable denture is removed at night . Hence are more comfortable. They are strong enough to chew all types of food. Taste of food can be enjoyed as it does not have any acrylic plates that would cover the soft tissues as in a removable denture. They last longer if maintained well.
How is a bridge fabricated?
At the first appointment, the supporting teeth on either side of the missing teeth are prepared based on the material of choice for the bridge. Now an impression of the dentition is made & sent to the lab where the bridge gets fabricated. In the next appointment, this bridge will be cemented over the supporting teeth to replace the missing teeth. Bridges are also fixed with the support of implants placed in suitable positions.
What are the materials used in the making of a bridge?
Bridges can be made of metal, porcelain fused to metal or of All-ceramic material.
The most popular material being used is porcelain fused to metal because of its natural appearance, good strength and long life. Metal bridges are usually preferred to replace missing lower back teeth. All-ceramic is the material of choice in front teeth as they have excellent aesthetics.
What are the consequences of teeth loss?
Loss of a tooth or few teeth and failure to replace them would lead to a chain of ill effects on the entire dentition. They can be:
Disturbances in surrounding teeth.
Psychological & social disturbances.
Changes in facial appearance.
Nutritional disturbances.
What are the effects of missing teeth on rest of the teeth?
Loss of one or few teeth can lead to a chain of ill effects on the entire dentition
The unprotected jaw ridge can get subjected to injury due to chewing forces.
The neighboring teeth tilt into the empty space. This destroys proper functional balance.
The drifted teeth create areas of food impaction. This can lead to consequences like: decay in the drifted & adjacent teeth.
Gum diseases can begin in these faulty contact areas.
Because of abnormal teeth drifting process, the supporting bone gets affected & shrinks. This makes teeth replacement in future difficult.
The remaining teeth are loaded with excessive chewing forces and are acting in direction that can be detrimental to the stability of rest of the teeth.
The teeth opposite to the space of missing teeth might supra erupt. That is, they might move towards the opposing empty space. In the long run this loosens the opposing teeth.
What are the changes in facial appearance due to teeth loss?
Teeth support lips & cheek. So, when multiple teeth are lost, lips and cheek fall back & show sunken-in appearance.
Wrinkles appear on the face making the individual look far older than his age.
Loss of muscle tone & skin elasticity due to teeth loss also affects youthful appearance .
Due to multiple teeth loss the supporting bone gets shrunken which in turn reduce support to the cheek &The lower third of the face looks shrunken.
Facial structure collapses making the individual look older.
