Patients with impacted or missing teeth often have oral complications including cysts, gum infections, headaches, pain, swelling, and tooth loss. However, both of these issues can be rectified by corrective dental surgery and/or orthodonics. When you visit your dentist they can walk you through these procedures, but you may want to know a bit more about your oral situation.
Let’s take a brief look at impacted and missing teeth.
Impacted Teeth
Teeth are designed to erupt in symettrically aligned rows in our mouths. In fact, breast-feeding actually promotes straighter teeth because it strengthens orofacial development and stimulates proper baby teeth eruption points. Permanent teeth often follow the same tracks as baby teeth (which is why it is important to have your children visit a dentist from 6 month of age).
When teeth erupt incorrectly a number of problems can occur, including crowding, damaged gum tissue, premature wear, and mild to severe pain. If caught early dentist can redirect the tooth with the use of orthodonics. However, if the impaction has all ready occurred, the tooth can be removed surgically. Although cuspids and bucuspids can become impacted, wisdom teeth are the ‘usual suspects’.
Dental Options: observation, intervention, relocation, and extraction
Missing Teeth
In most cases, missing teeth result from an accident or some sort of trauma. Yet, there are cases where teeth are misssing due to poor development. The good news is that there are a variety of dental options available to patients with this condition. Dentists will usually see if braces, dentures, bridges or a dental implant could rectify the situation.
At the outset, a dental implant may seem to be the most attractive solution to
Not all are suitable for dental implant. It is only an option if jaw growth has reached its completion. There must also be enough bone level and density to hold the implant. If you want to find out if you are a good candidate for dental implant, have your situation assessed by your dentist. Take note that this is not a quick procedure. It usually takes a few months to complete. Good oral hygiene habits are also important if you qualify for this procedure.
Tooth replacement is important in order to maintain or correct alignment of teeth, avoid premature wear of teeth and aid in the proper functioning of teeth. Would you like further information about foods that promote good oral health? Give us a call or come by for helpful advice. Would you like a behind the scenes look at our dental office before you arrive? Then click here to take a virtual tour our facilities. Our offices are conveniently located in Riverside, and Temecula.
Sources: Drane D. The effect of use of dummies and teats on orofacial development. Breastfeeding Review 1996; 4:59-64.