Feeling embarrassed by missing teeth is very common, but even if you're missing one, two, or more teeth, you're absolutely not alone. In fact, it's more rare to reach adulthood with all your teeth intact.
People with hypodontia are born with missing teeth.
Loss of teeth by themselves is not ratable. The VA does not consider this truly disabling because they are easily replaceable by false teeth. Teeth also cannot be rated if they are lost from naturally occurring diseases related to aging. They must be lost as a result of injury, accident, or disease.
Here are some of the problems that missing teeth can cause:
Poor jaw function/Creating malocclusions. Drifting teeth move into unoccupied spaces. Bite alignment issues; teeth wear/jaw stress. Jaw bone loss (up to a 25% reduction in the first year)
Tooth decay, gum disease, and injury are common causes of missing teeth. Some people are born without certain teeth, and this condition is called congenitally missing teeth. Genetic factors cause congenitally missing teeth and this condition is often seen in generations of a family.
When there's a gap in your teeth because of a missing tooth, there's space for bacteria, tartar, and plaque to get into your gum line. This puts you at greater risk of gum disease. Once gum disease sets in, you're at greater risk for some serious medical conditions such as heart disease and stroke.
A missing tooth can affect your bite, speech and eating choices. As you rely more on your remaining teeth, you increase the chance they will wear out prematurely, or be damaged or lost. Now research has shown that loosing your teeth will actually shorten your lifespan.
2.2% of adults 20 to 64 years have no remaining teeth. Older adults, current smokers, and those with lower incomes and less education are more likely to have no remaining teeth.
Conclusion. Around 50% of the population is missing at least 1 tooth, or around 178 million Americans. And 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth.
Orthodontic Wax
If a visible tooth is missing and you can't get to the dentist, you may decide to make a trip to a local drug store in search of help. There, you are likely to find orthodontic wax. While not a permanent remedy, white orthodontic wax can be shaped to fill the void left by a missing tooth in a pinch.
Dental implants are the preferred method of replacing missing teeth. A metal post is put in place of the root, and an artificial tooth that looks and feels natural replaces the missing tooth. The process takes some time because the implant will fuse to the jawbone.
Waiting too long to replace a missing tooth can eventually cause adjacent teeth to drift enough that problems such as crowding occur. Teeth growing into the gap of a missing tooth can make contact, which can cause uncomfortable pressure and create tight spaces between the teeth and gums.
Missing teeth contribute to the appearance of sunken cheeks, which can make you look older. Teeth are anchored to the jawbone by sockets, and if these remain empty, bone loss occurs. The jaw contributes a lot to the structure of the face, and less jawbone will leave you with a gaunt appearance.
While many get their first set of false teeth between 40 and 49, the need to replace teeth becomes nearly universal as people age.
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), by age 50, most Americans have lost an average of 12 teeth. The full adult dentition consists of 32 teeth. That means by age 50 you can expect to have 37% fewer teeth.
The most common congenitally missing teeth are wisdom teeth, upper lateral incisors, and the second premolars(source).
Missing teeth can lead to a multitude of health issues. Missing front teeth can be particularly devastating since it is noticeable when smiling, while a lost tooth in the back of the mouth is invisible for the most part.
It would be best to replace missing teeth as soon as possible to prevent tooth shifting. However, if you have a tooth extracted, it is advised to wait four to six months to have the tooth replaced. All in all, this interval gives your gums time to heal before performing another operation.
Seniors 65 years and older have an average of 20.7 remaining teeth. Older seniors, Black and Hispanic seniors, current smokers, and those with lower incomes and less education have fewer remaining teeth.
There are no federal laws or regulations that prohibit or discourage dentists from giving patients their extracted teeth. However, it is frowned upon. According to OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, extracted teeth are considered potentially infectious materials and should be handled accordingly.
The most commonly missing teeth are the third molars, mandibular second molars, maxillary permanent lateral incisors, and maxillary second premolars. In contrast, the least commonly missing permanent teeth are the maxillary central incisors, the maxillary and mandibular first molars, and the mandibular canines.
Dental crowns, sometimes called dental caps, serve many purposes in dentistry. They can enhance the look of a misshapen tooth, protect a tooth after a root canal, or strengthen a tooth with a large filling. Dental crowns can even replace a missing tooth.