I’ve Lost A Tooth as an Adult. Now What?

Losing a tooth as an adult can be a traumatic experience. Not only is the tooth fairy no longer coming to visit us, but also we do not have the reassurance of knowing that a new tooth will grow back in the missing tooth’s place. If you have lost a tooth as an adult, it’s important to take action quickly in order to try your best to preserve the tooth and get it properly implanted back into your mouth. There are several other options available to replace a missing tooth.

What are the causes of adult tooth loss?

Adult teeth can fall out for many reasons. In fact, millions of adults across the United States are missing one of their permanent teeth. Several factors can contribute to the risk and likelihood of a tooth falling out as an adult. These can include improper care of the teeth and gums, involuntary trauma, excessive tooth decay, or other medical factors including diabetes, oral cancer and other illnesses.

When you do not take care of your teeth, bacteria and infections can enter the gum line and cause the teeth to become unstable and separate from the gums. Teeth can be sensitive to the touch or demonstrate looseness or instability over time. Nevertheless, even patients with the healthiest teeth can experience accidents or trauma to the mouth, teeth, and gums. An unexpected impact or injury can immediately cause teeth to fall out, or teeth become loosened and become more prone to falling out later.

What should I do immediately upon losing a tooth?

If you have lost a tooth as an adult, it’s very important to act quickly. Losing a tooth is an emergency situation that requires direct attention and medical intervention. Call us as soon as possible!!

What options are available to replace a lost tooth?

If you have permanently lost your original tooth, dental prosthetics become a viable option. Replacing the tooth will maintain better oral health as the vacant spot will be less susceptible to periodontal infections, gum erosion, and problems within the underlying bone of the jaw.

Typically, a patient has three options available when it comes to dental prosthetics for a missing tooth. Dental crowns use surrounding teeth to create a supportive bridge in order to hold an artificial tooth in place. A bridge becomes bonded with the other teeth in order to assure that the artificial tooth will stay in place and feel more natural in your mouth.

Dental implants are another option available for filling in the gap of a missing tooth. An implant requires fusing a synthetic root, made from titanium, into the jawbone. When the implant heals, a dental crown is placed on top of the implant in order to replace your natural tooth. Dental implants themselves are a long-lasting and durable option that typically do not require replacement during one’s lifetime. The crown placed on top, however, may need to be replaced every 10-15 years.

The final option for replacing a missing tooth is through a partial denture. During this procedure, a prosthodontist will create an appliance containing an artificial tooth that will fit between your surrounding teeth. Partial dentures are sometimes used as a temporary solution before creating a dental bridge or opting for a dental implant to replace the missing tooth.

If you have lost a tooth as an adult and are wondering about your options to fill the void in your mouth, please do not hesitate to call us at Implantation Dental Center in Plantation, Florida. You can reach us at 954-476-0770, or you can complete a contact form on our website. We are happy to help our patients resolve any issues regarding lost or missing adult teeth as well as assist with any other concerns regarding oral hygiene or care.