![](https://codeclinic.ug/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/isaiah-mcclean-412250-unsplash-190x300.jpg "<a style=\"background-color:black;color:white;text-decoration:none;padding:4px 6px;font-family:-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.2;display:inline-block;border-radius:3px;\" href=\"https://unsplash.com/@isaiahmcclean?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=photographer-credit&utm_content=creditBadge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" title=\"Download free do whatever you want high-resolution photos from Isaiah McClean\"><span style=\"display:inline-block;padding:2px 3px;\"><svg xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" style=\"height:12px;width:auto;position:relative;vertical-align:middle;top:-1px;fill:white;\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\"><title>unsplash-logo</title><path d=\"M20.8 18.1c0 2.7-2.2 4.8-4.8 4.8s-4.8-2.1-4.8-4.8c0-2.7 2.2-4.8 4.8-4.8 2.7.1 4.8 2.2 4.8 4.8zm11.2-7.4v14.9c0 2.3-1.9 4.3-4.3 4.3h-23.4c-2.4 0-4.3-1.9-4.3-4.3v-15c0-2.3 1.9-4.3 4.3-4.3h3.7l.8-2.3c.4-1.1 1.7-2 2.9-2h8.6c1.2 0 2.5.9 2.9 2l.8 2.4h3.7c2.4 0 4.3 1.9 4.3 4.3zm-8.6 7.5c0-4.1-3.3-7.5-7.5-7.5-4.1 0-7.5 3.4-7.5 7.5s3.3 7.5 7.5 7.5c4.2-.1 7.5-3.4 7.5-7.5z\"></path></svg></span><span style=\"display:inline-block;padding:2px 3px;\">Isaiah McClean</span></a>")
Eleven years ago i met a nurse who had lost all her teeth due to an accident.This was during my final year as a dental student. She never said much during her dental appointments and was always looking miserable.The day she received her new smile, she left beaming and was so friendly to whoever looked her way.I have seen such a scenario several times and come to a conclusion that having a toothless smile really kills one’s confidence.
Most people are unaware of the long-term problems which will arise when a missing tooth is not replaced, such as teeth shifting into the space of the missing tooth.
A significant number of cases of gum disease- or long-loose teeth are due to migration of the opposing and adjacent teeth into the space of the missing tooth. Fortunately, shifting can easily be PREVENTED when replacing the missing tooth with a dental implant, bridge, or a denture.
Dental implants are a popular and effective way to replace missing teeth and are designed to blend in with your other teeth. They are an excellent long-term option for restoring your smile. In fact, the development and use of implants is one of the biggest advances in dentistry in the past 40 years. Dental implants are made up of titanium and other materials that are compatible with the human body. They are posts that are surgically placed in the upper or lower jaw, where they function as a sturdy anchor for replacement teeth, or natural-looking, long-lasting crowns.
Dental Bridges are another long-term permanent solution for replacement of missing teeth. Dental bridges use the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth for support.
Dentures are a more economical option for replacing a missing tooth. Dentures can be made to look beautiful and can be made to have a great fit. Because dentures are removable, and because bone can shrink under them over time, they are not as popular as Dental Implants or Bridges. However, they are highly effective in preventing shifting.
You can smile again with all these options available for you. Don’t settle for less.Next time we shall learn what happens to the facial appearance with missing teeth.