Q: What happens if I lose a tooth?

A: In the normal healthy mouth, teeth support one another. The loss of a tooth can come from a sudden trauma or from neglect, letting a tooth decay to the point of crumbling, or ignoring gum disease that can eventually destroy a tooth's support system. If you lose a permanent tooth, you should see a dentist as soon as possible. Once one tooth is gone, the teeth adjacent to it will begin to shift and loosen. The end result, over time, is a domino effect of lost teeth. Not only will missing teeth put a serious dent in your smile, they may hamper your ability to speak and chew.

Depending on the circumstances, your dentist may be able to correct your situation with a crown, if part of the tooth is left, or a bridge. The bridge is an appliance that would be anchored on the neighboring teeth and would fill the spot where the tooth has been lost. Another option is an implant, which involves the installation of a metal post in your jaw that would anchor an artificial tooth. Not everyone, however, is a candidate for an implant. There must be sufficient jawbone for the procedure to be feasible. Visit your dentist at least twice a year and tooth loss will most likely not be a problem.

March 15, 2010