Of congenital or acquired origin, edentulism affects adults of different age groups.
In addition to aesthetic effects, it has repercussions on the functionality of our mouth.
Not only does it prevent us from speaking and eating normally, but it also has a negative impact on the bone structure of the jaw.
For this reason, in this article we will tell you the best way to recover all the teeth to improve the quality of life of edentulous people.
What is edentulism?
The definition of edentulism is the loss, total or partial, of permanent teeth in both arches.
While it is true that this condition commonly affects older people, it can also affect younger people during the stages of their adult life.
Depending on the number of missing teeth in the dental arches, we can establish a classification and distinguish two different types of edentulism:
Partial: when the person presents the absence of one or more teeth.
Total: when the person has lost all the teeth of an arch.
Solution to partial edentulism
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PARTIAL EDENTULISM
But, what factors can be the origin of tooth loss?
Causes of edentulism
As we have already mentioned at the beginning, edentulism can be congenital or acquired.
In the case of a hereditary origin, we will normally be dealing with partial edentulism.
Cases of total edentulism with this origin are usually linked to very severe congenital syndromes that, in general, are not compatible with life.
On the other hand, in the case of acquired edentulism, specialists highlight certain causes that favor dental loss.
In the first place, poor oral hygiene favors two types of conditions:
On the one hand, dental caries, which in the most extreme cases where they have been neglected, involve the fall of the piece.
Secondly, periodontal diseases: gingivitis and periodontitis.
Both are conditions that damage the gums (gingivitis) and continue to develop until they reach the tissues that support the teeth (periodontitis).
This chronic disease affects the stability of the teeth, as well as causing severe inflammation and bleeding.
Finally, tooth loss can be caused by severe dental trauma or blows.
There is a wide variety of dental prostheses for edentulous people to quickly recover the functionality and aesthetics of the smile.
Consequences of tooth loss
The most obvious and visual consequence is the esthetic problem of not having teeth.
Especially if we are talking about anterior teeth -incisors and fangs- edentulism generates a decrease in the oral esthetics of the person.
Generally, it implies a lack of self-esteem and self-confidence.
But edentulism has a very negative effect on other routine aspects at a functional level.
It involves an alteration in the ability to pronounce phonemes, as well as in the chewing and swallowing of food.
Each dental piece has a specific role when eating, so even if only one is missing, chewing becomes difficult.
Consultation with the dentist
If you do not know what type of prosthesis to opt for, the specialist will be able to explain the pros and cons of each type.
In addition, the occlusal forces are not properly distributed throughout the jaw, so they fall on fewer teeth.
These overloads can therefore lead to tooth wear.
On the other hand, the absence of some teeth can have repercussions on the correct crushing of food and negatively affect the digestion process.
Secondly, the loss of teeth involves the progressive resorption of the alveolar bone, which supports our teeth.
Especially when edentulism occurs in the upper arch, it also implies a notable modification of the facial structure.
The mandible will have a greater prominence over the upper jaw, reducing the lower third of the face and giving an appearance of premature aging of the face.
This phenomenon is also known as Kelly syndrome.
Finally, in cases of partial edentulism, the gap left by the missing tooth tends to be occupied by adjacent teeth.
As a consequence, occlusion problems, bite discomfort and occlusal wear are generated.
Treatment of edentulism
When talking about the ideal treatment for edentulism, we must establish a difference between the total or partial loss of teeth.
Solutions for partial edentulism
In the case of missing one or more teeth that are not positioned contiguously in the arch, the most common treatment is the placement of single implants to replace the missing teeth.
The implants replace the root of the missing tooth, integrating with the passage of time in the bone.
Dental implant
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SINGLE DENTAL IMPLANT
On the other hand, if the absence occurs in several teeth with contiguous positions, the specialist may opt for the placement of a bridge.
In other words, a partial fixed prosthesis that relieves more than one tooth.
Even so, there is a wide variety of dental prostheses, fixed or removable, so the specialist can recommend one or the other depending on the case.
In this way, the patient can also inform the dentist of his or her requirements in terms of esthetics and functionality.
The placement of single implants or dental bridges has many advantages for the person:
It involves an improvement in the aesthetics of the mouth.
It helps to recover the functionality of all the dental pieces.
It avoids malocclusion and overload problems.
Restores the ability to pronounce and chew correctly.
Treatments for total edentulism
To address cases of total edentulism, specialists can opt for fixed or removable prostheses.
If the person has not suffered significant bone loss, the placement of a hybrid gradia prosthesis is recommended.
This is a fixed prosthesis placed on dental implants that replaces both the teeth and the lost soft tissues.
On the other hand, there are two different options for removable prostheses: mucosa-supported prostheses or overdentures.
Mucosal-supported prostheses are popularly known as dentures.
They are placed directly on the gum and jawbone and are the most economical method.
However, they are also more uncomfortable for the patient due to their fastening system, mainly based on products for fixing prostheses to the gum.
On the other hand, overdentures are removable prostheses that are anchored to the implants.
They are much more stable than the mucosoportadas, and the patient can remove the prosthesis from the mouth to clean it and maintain proper hygiene of the same.
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND SMILE AGAIN
Recover all your teeth in one day
Thanks to advances in Implantology, a person can now recover all their teeth in just one day.
To do this, we place dental implants in the whole mouth together with a prosthesis that replaces all the teeth.
This is achieved through innovative techniques such as immediate loading, with which implants and a provisional prosthesis are inserted in a matter of hours.
Complete dental prosthesis
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HYBRID PROSTHESIS
How can edentulism be prevented?
First of all, it is essential to have a rigorous oral hygiene.
This is the only way to avoid bacterial plaque and damage to the enamel of your teeth, as well as inflammation and bleeding of the gums.
But, in addition, there is another decisive factor: it is important to make regular visits to your trusted dental clinic to check the state of your oral health.
In this way, you will be able to detect and treat in time any problem that, if not solved, can lead to tooth loss.
If you would like more information about edentulism or dental prostheses to recover your teeth, contact our team of professionals.
You can do so by calling +526645908321, or through the contact form on our website.
In your first visit, we will do a free examination and we will tell you a complete diagnosis made by doctors from different areas of dentistry.
We are waiting for you!
