The top three reasons for missing teeth are gum disease, dental decay and trauma. Older generations tend to lose teeth due to gum disease or extensive decay, while younger people may be more prone to trauma such as skiing accidents, contact ball sports or high-speed motor vehicle accidents. Some people have genetically missing teeth, which is a condition called hypodontia. Regardless of the reason, a missing front tooth can affect your ability to eat and speak, and negatively impacts on your social confidence. Missing back teeth can result in poor chewing ability and even affect your general digestive health in the long run.
Our ability to replace missing teeth with alternatives that fit firmly is continuously improving through new technology. For those losing all of their teeth, dentures are the most prevalent option. For those who are missing one or more of their teeth, dental bridges and implants can be used to permanently attach synthetic teeth to the jawbone.
When left alone for long enough, the jaw supporting the tooth is lost, which means that replacing it could eventually become impossible. Furthermore, tooth loss can lead to further gum disease and tooth decay. It can also impact the growth of your other teeth, as they can shift into the gap that has been left behind.