MISSING TEETH

While it is certainly okay to have missing teeth, there are some disadvantages. Longstanding gaps caused by missing teeth may lead to changes in your bite. You see, teeth are like humans, they like having friends. So when your teeth lose their adjacent neighbour, they start to tip into the space, and the opposing tooth (now with no biting partner) also starts to push through. The result is a wonky bite with space loss, making it more difficult to replace the missing tooth/ teeth in the future. Moreover, the more teeth we are missing the more chewing loads are transferred to the remaining teeth, causing them to be overloaded. This leads to accelerated tooth wear and puts them at a high risk of breaking. So, although it may seem harmless, it’s important to understand that missing teeth can lead to further damage in the mouth. Why risk it? Get treated with comfort and care. Book an appointment today.

Missing teeth should be replaced for three good reasons.

Health
By replacing missing teeth, you are stopping the bite changes that occur from having gaps in the mouth. You also prevent any remaining teeth from being overloaded, causing them to break. Having a full set of teeth is also important for digestion, allowing us to break down our foods in the proper way while eating.

Function
Missing teeth may make it difficult to chew and speak. Particularly where multiple teeth have been lost, our function can be severely affected, often without realising. Our patients at Studio Smiles are often taken aback by the difference they experience eating with a full set of teeth and how much easier it is to enjoy their favourite foods such as apples, nuts, or even steaks. Where front teeth are missing, we even see some patients develop a lisp or generally develop difficulty making their words clear.

Aesthetics
As we lose teeth, our lips and cheeks tend to sink in or hollow. Missing teeth are also easily associated with ‘old’ age and can decrease quality of life.

Transform your smile. Book an appointment today.

Teeth are like humans, they like having friends. So, when we lose a tooth, the two teeth on either side as well as the tooth opposing it, don’t have a friend anymore. These neighbouring teeth start to move towards the empty space and tip in, and the opposing tooth begins pushing further through (called supra-eruption). In simple terms, movement occurs within the teeth which means your bite shifts. This may make it more difficult to have the missing teeth replaced later in life. Time is of the essence when it comes to replacing missing teeth.

It’s common to have missing teeth, but it’s also common to get them fixed!

Dental Implants
The closest thing to a natural tooth. Dental implants are the modern-day replacement for missing teeth. A titanium screw is used in place of the tooth root, and a porcelain (ceramic) crown is placed on top. This involves an implant surgery whereby the implant is placed into the jawbone under a local anesthetic or an oral/IV sedation. Dental implants at Studio Smiles are completed with our special pain-free minimal incision technique. Compared to the traditional implant technique, our digitally guided implants are done quicker, with less scarring, and higher accuracy. The result is a new gap-free smile.

All-On-4 Dental Implants
All-On-4 dental implants are a solution to those missing all their teeth, or where the remaining teeth are not salvageable. This involves replacing all teeth (top, bottom, or both) with four dental implants and fixed acrylic or ceramic teeth on top. The result is a total replacement for the natural teeth which looks and functions just the same. Using 3D digital technology at Studio Smiles, we have pioneered our own techniques at Studio Smiles for digital all-on-4 treatments. Our implant surgeries are completed under oral or IV sedation for your comfort. Compared to traditional techniques, our digital all-on-4 is done quicker, with less scarring, and higher accuracy.

Dentures
Dentures are a great alternative to suffering with missing teeth. They can be made from an acrylic material (which tends to be more temporary) or a special cast metal with natural looking teeth and gums. The main advantage of dentures is that they can look quite nice, but still be budget friendly. The disadvantage is that they are not fixed in place, unlike the other options. Being removable can make dentures annoying for some patients, and it’s not uncommon to be frustrated with movement of the denture during function and food trapping underneath. However, well-made dentures can be an acceptable option to replace missing teeth.

Porcelain Bridge
A porcelain bridge is an option to replace missing teeth by utilising the adjacent teeth to support a false tooth in-between them. Generally, this treatment is best where the adjacent teeth are weak and would already benefit from being capped. In this way, we are able to strengthen the two adjacent teeth while also replacing the missing tooth – a win-win.

At Studio Smiles, we take pride in our transparent approach to treatment. We endeavour to make the entire process clear for you so that you understand exactly what is happening, what can be done, the likely outcomes, and all relevant costs. We believe in a thorough approach, so our patients stress less and feel better faster. Get treated with comfort and care. Book an appointment today.

Here at Studio Smiles, we take pride in our emphasis on pain-free dentistry. We understand that going to the dentist can be daunting and that there are certain procedures you may find uncomfortable, so we use the latest techniques and technology to make you feel as comfortable as we possibly can. We also offer oral and IV sedation to take the edge off where needed, which means you can wake up to the smile of your dreams without remembering a thing! Book an appointment today.

Costs will vary depending on the individual and the treatment necessary. We believe in a transparent approach, so we make it a rule to provide all relevant treatment options and costs, including the advantages and disadvantages where relevant. This is an important part of our informed consent process. We actively work with our patients to help them find a way to have dentistry fit in with their budget and life. Patients may choose to opt for one of our interest-free payment plans to have their broken tooth sorted out immediately, while having the flexibility to pay at a later date on their own terms. Payment plans can help alleviate the financial barriers to a healthy mouth. We want to make sure you feel untroubled and completely comfortable with the next steps throughout your entire journey. Book an appointment today.