Loss of front teeth and how to replace them

What are the front teeth?

Front teeth constitute the largest part of dental classifications. Scientists have classified teeth according to function; thus classifying teeth into four types: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.

Incisors: These are the teeth that are used to cut food while we chew. They are the four front teeth (two in the upper jaw plus two in the lower jaw).

Canines: These are the teeth that are used to tear food. Two of these are distributed on either side of the upper incisors, and the other two are on either side of the lower incisors.

Molars: They are large, wide teeth whose function is to crush and grind food while eating it. There are eight in total (four premolars in the upper jaw and the same in the lower jaw, which are adjacent to the canines).

Front teeth functions

The front teeth have an important role in comparison with molars, as their role is not merely limited to the eating process. On top of their participation in the previous process, they have an important role in the speech process due to their influence on some exits of letters and words and their function in the smiling procedure.

Causes of loss of front teeth

• Biting on something very hard
• Exposures to injury, as the front teeth are more likely to be subjected to injury or be fractured than other teeth as they are located in the front of the jaw. Athletes are the most vulnerable people to injury to the front teeth (review our article on sports and dental health).
• Having diabetes
• Lack of care for oral and dental hygiene

Replacement of missing front teeth

There are two types of these compensations or combinations:

• Fixed compensation.
• Movable compensation.

First: fixed compensation

They are fixtures that are installed once and are not removable and have several types:

Implants: This dental prosthetic method relies on implanting a metal root and attaching it to the gum bones in order to become a permanent replacement for the missing tooth root. It is considered one of the most well-known and approved methods by doctors, and it is also considered more fitting in cases of losing more than one tooth.

Bridges: This method relies on the teeth adjacent to the missing teeth, as they do the function of a holder (crown). This method is considered one of the simplest, economic and time-consuming methods.

Veneers: They are used in cases of restoration, that is, when there is no complete loss of the front tooth, that is, in cases of simple breakage, cracking, or pigmentation. They are thin veneers having the texture and color of the natural tooth.

Fillings: Fillings are also used in cases where the loss is not complete, as they are implemented in cases of caries, decay, and fracture. This type is one of the least expensive of the previous types in terms of duration and cost.

Second: Movable compensation

These are prosthetics that can be detached and installed by the patient. They are designed by specialists within the clinic and are delivered to the patient and provided with instructions for disassembly, installation, and instructions for hygiene. They are less expensive than fixed prosthetics, but they can fall while talking or eating.

How to clean front dentures?

In removable dentures, the patient should clean them on a daily basis before sleeping, and should place them in a cup of water, and cleans the mouth and adjacent teeth very carefully.

In fixed dentures, the patient should clean her or his teeth and mouth as if natural teeth were present, as mouthwash and dental floss are used for the natural teeth to prevent any problems from occurrence.

In implant ology, the patient should washes own artificial teeth very carefully as if s/he were brushing own natural teeth, and pays attention to using mouthwash for preserving the life of the existing artificial teeth.

Just as negligence is harmful to natural teeth and causes their loss, it is also harmful to artificial teeth such as implants and could cause tooth loss, thus oral health must always be taken care of.

The most important tips for maintaining dental restorations:

• Canned foods should not be opened with your teeth.
• Brush them on a daily basis with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
• For mobile installations, they must be placed in their own solution to avoid drying out.
• You must visit a doctor for regular follow-up and to get rid of infections and fungi.
• Reducing smoking and drinking alcoholic products.