Missing teeth affect millions of Americans and can impact both your appearance and oral health. At Southern Pines Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer comprehensive solutions to replace missing teeth and restore function, comfort, and confidence to your smile. Understanding your options is the first step toward reclaiming a complete and healthy smile.

Understanding Tooth Loss

Teeth can be lost for various reasons. Dental decay and gum disease are leading causes when left untreated. Accidents and injuries, particularly during sports or vehicle accidents, can result in knocked-out teeth. Some patients experience tooth loss due to failed root canal treatments or fractures in heavily restored teeth. Others may have congenitally missing teeth. Certain health conditions, including diabetes and autoimmune disorders, can increase the risk of tooth loss, as can certain medications and treatments like radiation therapy.

While tooth loss becomes more common with age, it’s important to understand that it isn’t an inevitable part of aging. With proper oral hygiene and regular dental care, many people maintain their natural teeth throughout life.

Why Replacing Missing Teeth Matters

When a tooth is lost, the consequences extend far beyond the visible gap in your smile. Adjacent teeth begin to shift toward the empty space, disrupting your bite alignment and potentially causing problems with chewing and speaking. The teeth opposite the gap may begin to super-erupt, extending further than they should and creating bite problems.

Perhaps most significantly, the jawbone beneath a missing tooth begins to deteriorate without the stimulation provided by natural tooth roots. This bone loss can change the shape of your face over time, creating a sunken appearance that adds years to your look. Multiple missing teeth accelerate this process and can severely impact nutrition and quality of life.

Beyond these physical effects, missing teeth often affect self-confidence. Many patients report feeling self-conscious in social and professional settings, sometimes avoiding smiling or even limiting interactions because of embarrassment about their teeth.

Treatment Options at Dr. Gessell’s Practice

At our Southern Pines dental practice, Dr. Conor Gessell offers several approaches to replace missing teeth, each with distinct advantages. During your consultation, Dr. Gessell will help you understand which option best suits your specific situation, considering factors like the number and location of missing teeth, bone density, overall oral health, lifestyle, and budget.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are widely considered the gold standard for tooth replacement. These titanium posts are surgically placed in the jawbone, where they integrate with the bone over several months. Once healed, implants function like natural tooth roots, supporting crowns, bridges, or dentures. Implants are the only tooth replacement option that preserves jawbone density by providing stimulation similar to natural roots. They offer unmatched stability, function, and longevity, often lasting a lifetime with proper care.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges provide another effective solution, especially for one or several adjacent missing teeth. Traditional bridges anchor to natural teeth on either side of the gap, which are prepared to support crowns. The replacement tooth is suspended between these crowns, “bridging” the gap. For suitable candidates, bridges offer a fixed, non-removable solution with natural appearance and function.

Dentures

For patients missing several or all teeth, full or partial dentures remain a practical option. Today’s dentures are more comfortable and natural-looking than ever before. Partial dentures clip onto remaining teeth to replace many missing teeth, while full dentures replace an entire arch. Implant-supported dentures combine the benefits of implants and dentures, offering greater stability and preventing bone loss while replacing multiple teeth.

Preventing Tooth Loss

While Dr. Gessell provides excellent tooth replacement options, preventing tooth loss remains the best approach. Regular dental check-ups allow for early detection and treatment of decay and gum disease before they threaten tooth retention. Thorough home care, including proper brushing, flossing, and a healthy diet, forms the foundation of tooth preservation.

For patients who play sports, custom-made mouthguards provide essential protection against dental injuries. Similarly, night guards can prevent damage from unconscious teeth grinding or clenching during sleep.

Managing health conditions that affect oral health, such as diabetes, and avoiding tobacco products can significantly reduce your risk of tooth loss throughout life.

Your Path to a Complete Smile

At Dr. Conor Gessell’s dental practice in Southern Pines, we understand that missing teeth can affect your quality of life in numerous ways. Through personalized treatment plans and state-of-the-art dentistry, we can help you restore not just the appearance of your smile, but its complete function and health. Call our office at 910-390-1259​ or request an appointment online.