A healthy adult mouth typically contains 32 teeth, though many people have 28 if their wisdom teeth have been removed. While this full set is ideal, it’s surprisingly common for adults to experience tooth loss. Whether through decay, gum disease, injury, or other issues, missing teeth affect many Australians.
Thanks to modern dentistry, gaps in your smile don’t have to be permanent. With treatments like smile makeovers, you can get back both the look and function of your natural teeth.
Teeth Numbers: Consequences of Missing Teeth
Missing teeth can cause more problems than you might think. Even one missing tooth can start a chain reaction of dental issues:
- Your other teeth might move into the empty space. This can falter your bite and make it harder to clean your teeth properly. When this happens, you’re more likely to experience sensitive teeth and tooth decay.
- Your bone around the missing tooth can resorb and be lost as it’s not getting the stimulation it needs from tooth roots.
- You might find it harder to eat certain foods. Many people with bad teeth feel self-conscious and avoid showing their teeth in photos.
How Dentistry Can Transform Bad Teeth Gaps
Modern dental treatments and cosmetic dentistry can work wonders for missing teeth. Your smile dentist can create a plan that makes your teeth look natural and work properly again. This isn’t just about filling in gaps—it’s about bringing back your confidence and keeping your mouth healthy.
Specific Cosmetic Dentistry Dental Solutions for Gaps
Here are the main ways we can fix missing teeth:
- Dental Implants: This long-term solution includes metal posts that go into your jawbone, just like real tooth roots. They’re topped with dental crowns that look and function just like natural teeth. They are especially good for teeth that are too damaged for simpler treatments, such as fixing rotten teeth.
- Dental Bridges: This approach is great if you’re missing several teeth in a row. They fill the gap by attaching artificial teeth to your natural teeth on either side. Bridges stay firmly in place and let you eat and speak comfortably.
- Modern Dentures: For those needing multiple teeth replaced, these have come a long way from the obvious false teeth of the past. Today’s versions are comfortable and natural-looking, though they don’t provide the same bone preservation benefits or stable platform as implants.
Sometimes, your treatment might also include orthodontics to straighten your remaining teeth first. This creates a better foundation for your new smile.
Get Perfect Teeth With Smile Makeovers
Getting back your full set of adult teeth does more than just fill gaps—it helps you feel like yourself again. Today, cosmetic dentistry can give you back a full, gleaming set of teeth that look and feel natural. Everyone’s smile is different, and your treatment will depend on your oral health, lifestyle, and what you want to achieve.
With amazing dental experts in the Northern Beaches, you can achieve a gap-free smile you’ll want to show off. Reach out to Mona Vale Dental today to transform your smile.
