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One of the most common yet severe problems we see in our office is the result of missing lower molars. Often these teeth were lost when a patient was in their teens or earlier.
If the space is left, slowly the whole bite collapses. It happens over decades, and the patient usually doesn't notice much of a problem until the situation is very advanced. Fixing this can be complex at this stage. Untreated, it often ends up leading to the loss of all the back teeth involved, which may leave the patient with difficulty eating, headaches and jaw joint problems, and an aged appearance.
Replacing the teeth earlier is a much easier way to restore the function and appearance of natural, healthy teeth.
The good news- We have several solutions to solve the problem
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Fixed Bridges:
These are 2 or more crowns adjacent to the space with replacement teeth attached between them. They are permanently cemented to the teeth.
They feel and look very natural.
The adjacent teeth have to be reduced a bit. If they are heavily filled and need crowning anyway, this is an excellent solution because it reinforces the teeth.
If the teeth around the space are perfect or they are too weak to hold a bridge, implants may be a better solution.
Bridges and crowns are among the longest lasting conventional dentistry we can do, other than implants.
Removable Solutions:
If no fixed replacement is planned in the near future, we can make a small spacer to hold the space and prevent tipping and other problems. It only needs to be worn one night a week, until the permanent replacement is done.
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