Missing Teeth
TREATMENTS FOR
Missing Teeth
- What is it?
- Treatment Options
Missing teeth are common, often it is the lateral incisors, or lower second premolars. Careful assessment is required to ensure the tooth is actually missing, and not developing in the wrong place or is impacted.
When there are true missing teeth, there is often a large gap after the baby tooth occupying the space is shed. Surrounding teeth can then drift into this space resulting in unaesthetic gaps. The dental centreline will often drift into the side of the face with the missing teeth, producing a crooked smile line.
The preferred treatment option for missing front teeth is to open up the gap and fill in the space with a bridge or implant. Closing the gap is an option and more economical, but the upper face and lip can appear sunkened because of the diminished upper arch perimeter.
Missing back teeth should be treated by removing the overlying baby tooth and closing the gap by approximating the adjacent teeth together. A gum screw may need to be inserted to correct or hold the dental centreline because of the uneven number of teeth present on either side. Leaving a baby tooth long term on top of a missing adult tooth is unadvisable because of the tendency of adjacent adult teeth to tilt and “pile” on top of the retained baby tooth.
Orthodontic Treatments
BUCKY TEETH
This often arises due to the lower jaw and lower teeth being set back.
CROWDING
This happens when there is not enough space in your mouth to fit all your teeth.
DOUBLE ROW TEETH
Erupting adult teeth can miss their primary tooth counterpart.
ECTOPIC TEETH
This refers to teeth that’s developed and erupted in the incorrect position.
IMPACTED TEETH
Teeth form deep within the jaw and journey far to find their proper place.
MISSING TEETH
Missing teeth are common, often it is the lateral incisors, or lower second molars.
TEETH SPACING
Spaced teeth trap food, is unaesthetic in the smile and often unstable as other teeth will shift into the gaps.
THUMB SUCKING
Prolonged thumb sucking into late childhood leads to permanent bite problems.