Can I Have Teeth Straightening If I Am Missing Teeth?

Teeth straightening is a common treatment among people from different age groups. Many people often want to know if it is possible to undergo the procedure if they have lost one or two teeth. The answer is yes, and this article talks about how missing teeth can affect teeth straightening procedures.

Causes of missing teeth

Missing teeth are common among adults nowadays. According to reports from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), an average person between ages 20 and 64 has lost up to eight of their adult teeth. Considering this fact, the first step in creating the appropriate treatment plan for teeth straightening is to identify the underlying cause of tooth loss.

A lost tooth can happen due to different causes, including congenital absence of a permanent tooth/teeth, injury, poor oral hygiene, gum disease, excess tobacco or alcohol use and certain health conditions. In some situations, undergoing teeth straightening with missing teeth can fix the gap by realigning the existing teeth or evening out teeth spacing. In other cases, the dentist may suggest straightening the teeth first, then getting a dental implant or bridge afterward.

Why undergo teeth-straightening treatment with a missing tooth?

Having a missing tooth often causes many undesirable dental health effects. After a while, the space left by a missing tooth can cause other adult teeth to get in the wrong alignment, causing issues like jaw problems, a bad bite and crooked teeth. The open area on the gum can leave the soft tissues of the mouth and gums vulnerable to infection, which may worsen into advanced gum disease or the deterioration of the jaw bone structure.

If the tooth loss was caused by periodontal disease, or the jawbone and gum tissue around the existing teeth are unhealthy, it could complicate the straightening treatment. Gum health is vital to the success of orthodontic treatment since there has to be a restructuring of the bone and gums. Periodontal disease can cause further bone loss if it is not treated before commencing teeth straightening treatment.

The aim of undergoing teeth straightening is simple — restore the teeth to their proper alignment, improve chewing functions and overall dental health. After teeth straightening is complete, many options exist to cover the open area left by the missing teeth. However, simply restoring a lost tooth without correcting the alignment of other teeth will not resolve problems with bite and jaw alignment. It will not make any difference. Also, straightening the teeth without restoring lost teeth can eventually ruin teeth alignment.

A straight smile and complete teeth

Teeth straightening typically takes between six months to two years, depending on the severity of teeth misalignment. During the meeting with the general dentist, patients will get an overview of what to expect and an estimated duration of treatment.

Final note

Do not let a missing tooth deter you from getting the smile you want. Teeth straightening is often an important step towards getting a fully functional and appealing smile. To get started, contact our dental office to book an appointment for a consultation.

Request an appointment here: https://www.titandentalcare.com or call Titan Dental Care at (703) 745-3227 for an appointment in our Sterling office.

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