Losing all permanent teeth, sometimes referred to as “edentulism”, can be very detrimental to an individual, and can even destroy the person’s way of life because their nutrition, or even self-esteem may become distorted. Seeking the services of the very best dentists in Newmarket will be helpful for comprehensive solutions seeking out treatment options as well as friendly care from professionals. In the course of this publication, we will discuss edentulism, giving special attention to what it is, why it occurs, as well as the types of treatments used to achieve oral function and beauty.
A state either in the lower or upper jaw or both, where the person does not have any teeth is called edentulism. Within this condition, patients can be completely edentulous (without teeth in the oral cavity) or partially edentulous (having teeth, but not all). Despite the fact that modern methods of prevention have to a large extent lowered its occurrences, edentulism is still a matter of concern especially among the aged populations.
Reasons for the lack of teeth as in edentulism
Edentulism has a number of causes as follows:
Chronic Periodontitis: This refers to the presence of bacteria deposits within the contours of the teeth. Bacteria accumulates and an attachment between bacteria and mucosa is formed. If this occurs, the individual is prone to scar tissue formation and loose teeth.
Cavities: Tooth material can be broken down by advanced levels of decay and may need to be pulled out due to weakening of the teeth or because of the significant presence of cracks.
Injury: Damage including dental trauma can lead to loss of teeth.
Existence of Systemic Diseases: Some diseases including diabetes and osteoporosis raise the chances of losing teeth.
Poor Dental Care: Lack of proper mouth cleaning leads to plaque and tartar deposits which further cause diseases of the gums and teeth.
Under Utilisation of Dental Services: Some people do not seek preventive dental care and this results in multitudes of issues that are effectively dental closure if not attended to teeth loss.
How to Cure Edentulism:
Contemporary dentistry allows for a number of solutions aimed at restoration of function and aesthetics in the edentulous patient:
Conventional Dentures: Secondary dentures are the removable apparels that are used to replace the whole missing teeth of a jaw. They are specially fabricated in the shape of the patient’s mouth to anchor the muscles of the lips, cheeks, and tongue. Dentures are a solution for partial edentulousness; however, they are likely to be in motion and also reduce the ability to chew effectively.
Dentures with Implants: These dentures supported by titanium screws embedded in the jawbone offer better stability and retention. They are fixed to the jawbone through ontogenetic surgery and constitute of fixed prosthesis. Besides providing enhanced masticatory function, they enable clear speech and healthy functioning of the jaw.
All-on-4 Implants: It is a new advance where 4 implants are fixed to a single jaw to hold all the replacement teeth of one arch. All-On-Four is an effective alternative to removable dentures. It provides permanent fixed teeth. This is suitable for those patients who do not have high bone levels.
Bridges: Edentulous ridges can be treated with the use of dental bridges in order to fill in the upper portion of the mouth where the pulp has been removed. The teeth that “bridge” the gaps are formed by what are referred to as pontics, which are clamped on to natural teeth beside the gap or dental implants. Bridges restore functionality and appearance and prevent migrations of the neighboring teeth.
Bridges with Implants: As with implant overdentures, they are krone bridges in which the implant is used for attachment of the prosthesis and improves stability and retention. These are attached to the implants that have been driven into the jawbone to provide a more permanent solution.
Why It Is Important To Manage Edentulism:
Edentulism if neglected may lead to negative consequences on the health and quality of life of a person. Lack of teeth affects food chewing capability which in turn causes nutrition deficiency. Likewise, they even tend to affect the way a person speaks or looks which will further shake one’s confidence and ability to express himself or herself in social circles.
Selecting an Appropriate Treatment:
The optimal method of treatment for edentulism can be dependent on several factors, such as available bone, health status and patient preferences. As such, a thorough dental examination and consultation should be done to be able to treat the condition successfully.
Post-Treatment Care:
Proper dental maintenance can help in prolonging the lifespan of dental appliances. Brushing, flossing, and visiting a dental professional should be regular in order to avoid gum disease and implants or dentures becoming unstable.
To summarize, edentulism can greatly affect an individual’s life, however, there are numerous ways available in modern dentistry that help to restore both the function and advancement of one’s figure. With the help of professional dentists, a person can be assisted in finding an appropriate solution and, as a result, become more confident and better equipped to live a better existence.