Missing Teeth

Genetics

For some patients, missing teeth/tooth loss is genetic- due to a malformation of the upper and lower jawbone. This is known as tooth agenesis and occurs with certain conditions such as cleft lip/palate and Down Syndrome. There are three kinds of congenitally missing teeth:
●     Hypodontia: 1 to 5 permanent teeth never erupt
●     Oligodontia: 6+ permanent teeth never erupt
●     Anodontia: permanent teeth are completely absent

Poor Oral Care

Some patients are missing teeth due to poor oral care. You only have one set of permanent teeth, so it’s important to make sure that you are brushing twice daily, flossing at least once, and visiting the dentist for an exam and cleaning every 6 months. By doing this, we can detect issues early and treat them before they progress too far and cause tooth loss.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is another common reason for missing teeth. Gum disease causes pockets, or spaces, between gums and teeth. Eventually, the gums begin to recede, and the teeth and jawbone begin to decay- leading to tooth loss.
Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease and is typically reversible with proper oral hygiene and dental care. If left untreated, this condition progresses to periodontitis. At this point, plaque buildup has moved below the gum line, requiring extensive treatment.

Trauma

Finally, trauma due to car accidents, sports injuries, and other accidents can cause tooth loss in adults. If you lose an entire tooth due to trauma, it is critical that you seek emergency dental treatment. Try to recover the tooth and get to the clinic within30 minutes for the best chance of saving the tooth.
If you are missing one or more teeth, the team at Luminescence Dentistry can help. We offer a variety of options, whether you are missing one tooth or all of your teeth in one or both arches. We will determine the most appropriate solution during your consultation, taking into account the following:
●     Oral and overall health
●     How many teeth need to be replaced
●     Your preferences
●     Your budget

Single Implant

A single dental implant is the best option for a single missing tooth. It is also the most popular. In fact, more than 500,000 people get dental implants every year. When compared to other options, dental implants look, feel, and function the most like natural teeth.
Dental implants are also versatile. They can be used to replace a single tooth, or they can be used to support other tooth replacement options, such as partial or full dentures or dental bridges.
Dental implants have a 95% success rate. As long as patients practice proper oral hygiene habits and visit the dentist every 6 months for a cleaning and exam, they should last a lifetime.
However, it is important to note that this tooth replacement solution takes at least several months. For some patients, it may take a year or more. The first step is to take care of any extractions or bone grafting. Then, we can move forward with inserting the implant into the jawbone. After that, you will be given time to heal and for osseointegration to take place- which is the process where the jawbone fuses with the implant.
Once osseointegration has taken place, we will attach the abutment. This is the piece that connects the implant to the crown. The final step- attaching the permanent crown- will take place a few weeks later.

Implant Bridge

Partial Dentures

Finally, for patients who are missing too many teeth for a dental bridge, we offer partial dentures. You can choose removable partials, which must be removed at night for cleaning and to allow your gums to rest. Removable partials can be used with or without dental implants. In the case of implant-retained partials, the denture is held in place but still must be removed at night.
If you prefer a more permanent solution, we offer implant-supported partials. These are permanently attached to dental implants in the jaw. You would care for these just like you do your natural teeth. The denture can only be removed by the dentist during your cleaning and exam.

Dentures

We offer several denture options at Luminescence Dentistry. Traditional removable dentures are the most budget-friendly. However, dentures tend to slip and slide around in the mouth, making it difficult to speak, chew, and laugh. Many patients will start with traditional dentures and upgrade to a more permanent solution later on.
Another option is snap-on dentures. This tooth replacement solution involves the placement of at least 2 dental implants to secure the denture in place. This allows patients to laugh, eat, and talk without worrying about their denture falling out or getting in the way.
You can choose from permanent or removable implant dentures. In the case of permanent implant dentures, only the dentist will be able to remove them during your exam and cleaning. Removable implant dentures must be removed at night for cleaning and to allow your gums to rest.

All-on-4 Dental Implants

All-on-4 dental implants restore the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth. This solution requires the placement of 4 dental implants. Two are placed in the front of the jaw and two in the back. The two in the front are straight, while the two in the back are placed at a 45° angle. This gives the denture more stability and strength.

All-on-6 Dental Implants

We also offer All-on-6dental implants, which is the same as All-on-4 with the addition of two extra implants. The implants are equally spread along the jawbone. Once the denture is in place, it is permanent and should be cared for like your natural teeth. The dentist will be able to remove it during your exam and cleaning.