Common Reasons for Tooth Loss
A person with all 32 healthy teeth is a happy person. However, once this balance is disturbed by the loss of even a single tooth, a problem arises that gradually becomes more serious over time. Why? Because nature has created a mechanism that functions harmoniously only when all its components perform their role. This mechanism includes the teeth of the upper and lower jaws, the chewing muscles, and the jaw joints.
Što se događa kada izgubimo zub?
- Tooth Movement
When a tooth is missing, the remaining teeth try to adapt to the new situation by changing their position. The neighbouring teeth tilt into the empty space in an attempt to close it, while the tooth from the opposing jaw above the gap begins to over-erupt into that space. - Changes in the Bite
Tooth movement leads to significant changes in the bite. These bite changes can result in problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The main reason for these issues is that teeth are designed to withstand chewing forces only when they are aligned parallel to their roots. When a tooth tilts, its root tilts as well, and bite forces are no longer properly distributed. Chewing forces, which are naturally strong, can become harmful when applied at improper angles, potentially leading to serious dental problems. - Reduced Chewing Efficiency
Many people choose to extract a back tooth because it does not affect the appearance of the smile. The problem with this way of thinking is that it overlooks the crucial role of posterior teeth in chewing. Molars have large, wide chewing surfaces designed for grinding food, which is an essential first step in the digestive process. Even the loss of a single molar significantly reduces chewing efficiency. - Loss of a Front Tooth
The loss of a front tooth significantly affects facial aesthetics and the ability to pronounce certain sounds normally.
Teeth do not fall out because of age. The main reasons are poor oral hygiene and infrequent visits to the dentist. In rarer cases, tooth loss can be caused by trauma (a blow to the face, a fall from a bicycle, etc.).
Poor oral hygiene leads to the development of tooth decay. Untreated decay progresses deeper into the tooth and causes inflammation of the pulp, which is treated through root canal therapy (tooth devitalisation). Such a tooth is weaker than a vital one and is more prone to fracture—most often vertically—in which case it cannot be saved and must be extracted.
Dental calculus (tartar) is a buildup of minerals from saliva and forms more rapidly in individuals whose saliva is rich in these minerals. Tartar adheres to the teeth, causes inflammation of the gums (gingivitis), and creates an ideal environment for bacteria. These bacteria penetrate deeper into the bone and destroy the supporting structures of the tooth root, causing the tooth to become loose and eventually fall out. This condition is known as chronic periodontitis.
To avoid such unpleasant situations, teeth need daily “training.” Just as physical health and fitness require regular exercise, teeth also need consistent care—at least two minutes, twice a day.
Proper oral care includes:
brushing,
flossing,
cleaning with interdental brushes,
and rinsing with mouthwash.
Of course, regular dental check-ups, including professional cleaning and tartar removal, are essential.
“Poor oral hygiene feeds bacteria, leads to tooth loss, and causes bad breath.”
3 načina nadoknade zuba koji nedostaje
Removable prosthetic restoration – a denture that can be taken out
Fixed prosthetic restoration – a cemented restoration that cannot be removed
Dental implant – a screw that replaces the tooth root
A removable denture is a prosthetic replacement that rests on the oral mucosa and replaces missing teeth. It can be partial or complete. The material used is acrylic resin, which can be reinforced with metal alloys.
A partial denture is used in a jaw where not all teeth are missing. The remaining teeth serve as support, helping distribute chewing forces and preventing the denture from lifting out of place.
A complete denture rests on the mucosa of a completely edentulous jaw.
Fixed prosthetic restorations include dental bridges. When one tooth is missing, the two adjacent teeth can be prepared and used as supports for a bridge that replaces the missing tooth by spanning the gap. Dental bridges can be made from metal-ceramic (a metal core covered with ceramic) or all-ceramic materials, which offer superior aesthetics.
A dental implant is a titanium screw that is placed into the bone at the site of a missing tooth and serves as a replacement for the tooth root. An abutment is attached to the implant, connecting it to the dental crown.
A dental implant is a titanium screw placed into the bone at the site of a missing tooth and serves as a replacement for the tooth root. An abutment is attached to the implant and connects it to a dental crown. In addition to replacing a single tooth, multiple teeth can be replaced with implants by connecting them with bridges. For example, if the canine, first premolar, second premolar, and first molar are missing, implants can be placed in the positions of the canine and first molar. These implants then serve as supports for a bridge that spans the missing premolar teeth.
Dental implants can also serve as supports for dentures in completely edentulous patients. In this way, implants function like natural teeth, integrate with the bone, and can withstand normal chewing forces. Most importantly, patients usually do not experience discomfort when adapting, as the implant is accepted by the body as its own.
It is important to note that every prosthetic restoration should be treated like a natural tooth, which means maintaining proper oral hygiene, including brushing, using interdental brushes, and dental floss. Many people mistakenly believe that fixed prosthetic restorations protect natural teeth from plaque and decay and therefore do not need to be brushed. However, bacteria adhere equally to crowns and bridges and can cause tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontitis. Bacteria do not penetrate metal or ceramic but accumulate at the margins of the restoration, where they multiply and attack the tooth structure below the gum line that is not covered by the crown. For this reason, prosthetic restorations must be maintained in the same way as healthy natural teeth.
What is ideal for you depends on your overall health, the condition of your remaining teeth, the degree of bone resorption and bone density, your oral hygiene habits, and your lifestyle. Taking all these factors into account, the EDC team of doctors will recommend a treatment plan with long-term success and satisfaction.
