Losing a tooth can happen at any age. Tooth decay, gum disease, infection, dental trauma and fractures can all eventually result in a tooth being lost or needing to be removed.

For some people, the main concern is the visible gap in their smile. For others, a missing tooth can make eating or speaking more difficult or affect the way the remaining teeth meet.

The good news is that there are several ways to manage missing teeth, and replacing every missing tooth is not automatically necessary. Depending on where the gap is, how many teeth are missing and the health of your remaining teeth, gums and jawbone, your dentist may recommend monitoring the space, a dental implant, dentures or a dental bridge.

Understanding the differences can help you have a more informed conversation with your dentist.

(more…)