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The United States Public Health Service recently published a study. Of the 110 million adults represented by the survey, one out of four had no natural teeth remaining in one or both jaws. They felt this was a real dental tragedy.
The only way we can help you prevent this tragedy is to make sure you throughly understand the nature of oral breakdown. The pattern is always the same, although different teeth may be involved. We can place all of our patients in one of 5 levels.
In level no.1 all of the teeth are in the mouth. When a problem occurs, "DIMPLES "happen. First we get "Discomfort", then we get "Pain" and then we may get tooth "Loss".
An abcess can form as the result of decay, which was preventable. How much simpler it would have been to restore the tooth properly before the decay caused the abcess infection.
An abcess infection requires immediate attention. If possible, the tooth must be treatd by root canal therapy. Hopefully one will now not procrastinate as they did in caring for the decay. If this condition is still left untreated . . . we now move on to level 2.
In level no. 2 since nothing has been done, the tooth has now been lost. If this happens, construction of a fixed bridge or the placement of a dental implant are the only alternatives to restore the mouth to proper function and to preserve the dental arch.
Notice how the teeth on either side of the missing tooth (marked with an x) want to come together to fill the space . . . how the top tooth wants to "fall" down and come into the hole. Nature hates a vacuum and it wants to fill the space. This movement can take place after fifteen years or on a Tuesday a tooth could be removed and by Friday the teeth on either side can begin tipping to fill the gap. If nothing is done to bridge the gap . . .
In level no. 3 tipping can lead to further tooth loss, usually the teeth on either side of the lost tooth and the picture can look like this:
Now, even more extensive replacement dentistry is required to rebuild and restore the lost function. We have a much bigger space and movement on the top. Teeth are meant to be part of a team. If we don't bridge the gap . . .
In level no. 4 with the loss of chewing on one side, one is forced to use their other side. This will cause that side to break down faster as it is now forced to suppoprt almost twice its normal load leading to destruction and tooth loss on that side also.
Notice that we have now lost all the back teeth. All that is left are the front. Front teeth can't survive without the support of the back teeth. It is important to remember that teeth can remain strong only as long as they are clean, healthy and in normal function (so no tooth is carrying an abnormal load.)
Can you now guess what level no. 5 is? With the loss of the remaining teeth, one is now finally and irrevocably committed to the complete denture for the rest of their life. This is the final chapter of this dental tragedy and thru the marvels of modern dentistry this doesn't every have to happen to you!
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO AVOID BECOMING A DENTURE STASTISTIC
1) Learn how proper home care methods can protect your smile and the function of your mouth.
2) Make an effort to understand the process of oral breakdown. Accept the fact that as destruction progresses with time, treatment necessary to restore the mouth to proper function will become more involved and expensive.
3) Intercept dental problems at the lowest level of breakdown. Never postpone necessary treatment.
4) Cooperate with your dental team. Your best interest is their main concern.