Loss of tooth is a traumatic experience both emotionally and physically. Not only ones' looks get compromised but more importantly their is a loss of function and support. By function I mean mastication i.e. the act of chewing of food and by support I mean loss of support to lip and cheeks leading to a more sunken older appearance of the face FIG 1. Also their is hampering of speech articulation i.e. difficulty in pronunciation of speech sounds.

  FIG.1 Loss of facial support due to loss of teeth

       If unattended tooth loss has other debilitating consequences on the oral structures as well which include loss of bone height, drifting of adjacent teeth leading to gaps & gum problems FIG. 2.

 
FIG.2 Drifting of teeth as a consequence of missing tooth

This loss of space makes the situation further complicated. It makes it difficult for the dentist to replace the missing teeth with proper contacts and contours, required for proper oral hygiene. 

Hence an early replacement is highly recommended by any of the following type of replacements:

1. Immediate tooth reimplantation

2. Dental Implants

3. Dental brigdes or fixed partial dentures (FPD)

4. Removable partial dentures

5. Removable complete dentures

Any of these, best suited for your situation can be suggested by your dentist. You can then take the final call, so as to which option you want to go for after knowing the pros and cons of each treatment modality.

IMMEDIATE TOOTH RE-IMPLANTATION

Tooth avulsion i.e. displacement of the tooth as a whole due to traumatic blow can be managed by this simple yet very useful technique. As soon as the tooth comes out store it in your own saliva or milk in a small container and carry it to the dentist. Or else you can save it yourself by simply putting the tooth back into the cavity and hold it for 5 minutes. Make sure you do not rinse the avulsed tooth. Later the dentist can stabilise it using splints. FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 Tooth Re-Implantation.

DENTAL IMPLANTS

Dental Implants are artificial root replacements made up of an inert metallic material which are placed in bone to support artificial tooth crown. The dentist places the implant under local anaesthesia using a minor drilling surgical procedure. The artificial crown is generally placed after 2- 3 months of implant placement to allow the implant to blend with the bone. FIG.4.

FIG.4 Dental implant in bone supporting artificial crown.

DENTAL BRIDGES

Dental bridges take support of adjacent teeth to replace missing tooth. The adjacent teeth whether affected or not have to be cut to create space for dental crowns/cap to support the missing tooth.FIG.5

FIG 5. PLACEMENT OF DENTAL BRIDGE

REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES

These replace missing teeth by taking support from adjacent teeth using clasp arms. They are removable plates. They can be fabricated in various materials such as rigid acrylic, flexible valplast or matallic base. FIG. 6.

FIG.6. Flexible partial denture.

COMPLETE DENTURE

Removable prosthesis used to replace full set of teeth which are supported only on underlying bone and tissue. These can also be supported by dental implants to increase retention and maintain bone height specially where bone support is very less for a conventional denture. FIG.7

FIG.7. COMPLETE DENTURE