1) Why it is caused?
Missing Teeth is also called Hypodontia
- Gum diseases may cause exfoliation of teeth
- Cavities
- Injury or trauma
- Congenital missing
- Impacted
- Systemic conditions (multiple teeth missing)
- Cleft lip/cleft palate
- Genetics
- Intentional removal of teeth
- Development anomalies
2) How to prevent it?
- Practice good oral hygiene ; brushing twice daily, flossing daily, rinse with mouth wash
- Visit dentist regularly
- Limit alcohol &tobacco use
- Wear a mouth guard in sports
- Proper pregnancy care
3) When to go for treatment?
- Trauma
- Aesthetics
- Difficulty in chewing
- Changing in the position of adjacent & opposing teeth
- Sensitivity
- Increase in the spacing of other teeth
- Speech issue
- Bone loss
- Jaw malfunctioning
- Bite irregularities
4) What is the treatment? what is done in treatment?
1) Fixed
i) Dental implant: A surgical procedure in which a replacement tooth is placed & fused with the jaw bone
ii) Bridge: Adjacent teeth on either side of missing teeth are taken as support &crowns are placed
iii) Implant supported bridge: Implant placed in bone followed by a bridge
2) Removable
i) Partial denture: Replacement teeth for a small section of missing teeth with acrylic denture
ii) Complete denture: In completely missing in either arch replaced by complete acrylic dentures
Post-operative care
- Regular oral prophylaxis
- Change in dentures for every 3 years
- Avoid biting hard foods
- Brushing twice a day &flossing daily
- Use of mouth wash & inter-dental aids
- Monitoring system health conditions