Cosmetic Dentist NYC | Missing Tooth

July 18th, 2012 | 1 min read

Did you know that approximately 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth? This is a common problem, and while this could be a result of both poor diet, and gum disease, there are also situations where the person’s lateral incisor teeth never formed. Those are the teeth right next to the two upper front teeth. What happens is that now the arch is bigger than the number of teeth occupying that space. The eye teeth (which are the sharp teeth at the corners of the mouth) begin to drift into the missing tooth space. Sometimes braces are placed on children missing their lateral incisors to either maintain their spare or regain it for future dental implant placement. If not, the space can close and the sharp canine will drift to the lateral incisor position. Now you have sharp teeth in front of the smile rather than to the side and often spaces remain.

Many times there is an associated “gummy look”. If the spaces are closed or almost closed the best way to correct this is to regain that space back with braces. However, adult patients are resistant to go through this step because basically you are creating a space for an additional tooth that will show during the treatment. The alternative option is to improve the esthetics with porcelain veneers. This requires very skillful knowledge of the problem and artistic capabilities to give the illusion that the smile never had any problems. If the space has been maintained with a removable tooth or with a bonded metal based fixed tooth (Maryland Bridge), there are different ways to esthetically place a non-removable tooth with no metal. These would include a couple of types of all-porcelain bridges or implants.

Topics:

Cosmetic Dentist

Cosmetic Dentist NYC | Missing Tooth

Related Articles

What is Reconstruction/Rehabilitation Dentistry?

The Emotional Impact of a Smile Makeover

4 Questions to ask your dentist before getting Interproximal Reduction (IPR)

What Is Interproximal Reduction (IPR) and When Is It Necessary?

When Do I Need to See a Dental Specialist?

What Makes DSD Dental Practices Different?

Does Gum Contouring Hurt?

I Have Gum Regrowth: What To Do

Do I Need More Dental Records?

Maintaining Your Orthodontic Results

Gum Lift Options: Laser vs. Non-Laser Procedures

Contouring vs. Orthodontics: Navigating Your Path to a Perfect Smile

Tooth Contouring: A Guide to Reshaping Your Smile

Traditional Dental Exam vs NYC Smile Design's Dental Consultation

Top 4 Concerns During A Dental Consultation at NYC Smile Design

Fall is the Perfect Time for Teeth Whitening

What is a Smile Makeover? | NYC Smile Design | Manhattan

Why You Might Want to Consider Porcelain Veneers

What is a BOTOX® Gum Lift | NYC Smile Design | Manhattan, New York

How Long Should Porcelain Veneers Last | NYC Smile Design | Manhattan, New York

Do Whitening Toothpastes Work | NYC Smile Design | Manhattan, New York

How Can a Cosmetic Dentist Help Me | NYC Smile Design | Manhattan, New York

Are Porcelain Veneers Permanent | Manhattan Dental Veneers

What are the Most Common Types of Restorative Dentistry

Is Cosmetic Dentistry Permanent | NYC Smile Design | Manhattan, New York