Congenital Missing Teeth 101
Having teeth that do not develop is called a congenital absence of teeth. It can manifest as an individual tooth missing from the gum line, or all the teeth being absent from the jaw. Thinning of the bone due to lack of use can also be a factor in why some people have congenitally missing teeth—a syndrome known as hypoplasia. Missing baby milk or “deciduous” teeth during childhood does not usually cause problems, however if permanent adult replacement teeth don’t come in by age 18 they will need to be provided by a dentist.
Causes of Congenital Missing Teeth
A staggering 20 percent of the population is born with a missing tooth (or teeth). There are many reasons why teeth might be missing—a common one being the lack of certain minerals during early development, such as calcium and zinc. Diseases that interfere with tooth formation can cause congenital tooth absence as well as physical or biological trauma such as cancer surgery or extraction resulting from an injury. Genetic influences may also play a role in the condition’s manifestation. Depending on the severity of the case, patients may require a long rehabilitation process, involving soft tissue surgeries to improve jaw contour and function or orthognathic surgical interventions.
Why Do You Need to Address the Issue of Missing Teeth?
Remember, if you lose any kind of teeth at all it will always affect your bite and facial structure to some degree: wisdom teeth included! When there is little to no bone or teeth present in an area, gum tissue and other soft tissues begin to atrophy and collapse creating secondary conditions like sunken cheeks and eye sagging. The jaw itself begins to lose height, and the skin of the face around the area takes on an aged look—but only if you don’t do something about it. Missing teeth, at any age, can have strong repercussions on your emotional, social, and physical wellbeing. That’s why our friendly team offers patient-focused dental implant services to deliver on your dream smile goals. Dental implants are our team’s treatment method of choice for restorative solutions that last!
What Dental Implants Achieve
Dental implants provide a feasible treatment option for congenital missing teeth since they simultaneously replace a lost structure and anchor an externally fixed denture. Dental implants are custom designed to fit your mouth perfectly, so they will never slip or cause gum problems. In fact, not only will they stop all bone loss from occurring in that toothless area of your jaw, but they will also encourage new bone regrowth over time due in part to the dental laser’s effects during treatment.
What to Expect During Dental Implant Treatment
Patients that are considering dental implants to replace congenital missing teeth in Brooklyn can expect the following east treatment process:
- Diagnostic testing
- Comprehensive treatment planning
- Dental implant placement
- Implant crown delivery
Don’t hide your smile due to a congenitally missing tooth. The elite dental team at Beyond Dentistry Laser Center is here to give you dental implant solutions so you can share your pearly whites with confidence! Request a dental implant appointment in Beyond Dentistry Laser Center’s Brooklyn office today by calling 718-436-0202 or schedule your appointment for consultation online. Dr. Simon Kappel has been helping Brooklyn-area patients, and patients from all over the country, for over 44 years! You are in good hands with our team!