Edentulism

Forest Smiles – The Best Dentist in Lynchburg, VA

The lack of one or more teeth is very common not only among adults, but also among a large number of children and therefore represents a significant problem for modern dentistry. Edentulism s a syndrome and condition characterized by a loss of permanent teeth in the dental arch of the lower or upper jaw. This is not a disease, but a state that occurs as a result of dental diseases and diseases that affect the supporting tissue, bones or other tissues found in the oral cavity.

What are the most common reasons that lead to tooth loss? In the first place – caries. It is food to point out that if we don’t take measures in the beginning the damage with affect not only the dental crown, but also the root and even the bone and the only way to eliminate this problem at that moment is tooth extraction. Periodontal disease is another reason that leads to edentulism. This disease leads to loosening and swaying and eventually to the loss of teeth.  Different teeth and jaw injuries can also cause teeth loss. Development disorders like irregularities in the number of teeth are one of the many factors that contribute to the lack of teeth. But, regardless of the cause, the consequences are always the same.

The lack of teeth causes movement of the remaining teeth to edentulous area, they receding towards the empty space and even horizontal movement in that area, rotation around the longitudinal axis of the tooth as well as receding to the opposite empty area. All these things lead to a change in the relation between upper and lower jaw bones which later leads to changes and painful experience in the jaw joint. Tooth loss causes interference and difficulties in chewing, speech, and swallowing as well as aesthetic problems. A proper therapy is very important and thanks to modern technology and materials this treatment is very successful.  The lost teeth are replaced with prosthetics that can be fixed or mobile.

Fixed prosthetics are not removed from the mouth and depending on how many teeth they replace; they are divided into two groups – crowns and bridges. On the other hand, mobile prosthetics or dentures can be removed from the patient’s mouth and they can be partial or complete. There are several different types of partial dentures.

Your clinical picture and your dentist’s opinion will determine the type of prosthetic device you will get.