Tooth loss
By The Treatment Registry editors
Tooth loss can be partial (one or more teeth missing) or full (edentulous). Causes include caries, periodontal disease, trauma, and developmental absence. Treatment options range from removable dentures to fixed bridges to implant-supported prostheses; choice depends on remaining bone, neighbouring teeth, and patient preference.
Treatment ladder
Conservative options are first-line where appropriate; surgical options are typically reserved for cases where lower-tier options are unsuitable or have failed. Decisions are individual and depend on clinical assessment.
Conservative
- Removable partial denture
An acrylic or chrome-cobalt framework appliance that replaces missing teeth and is removed for cleaning. Lowest cost option but least secure; affects taste and mastication, requires periodic relining as bone resorbs.
- Complete denture (edentulous)
Full upper and/or lower acrylic denture. Functional but commonly poorly tolerated, with bone resorption progressing under the denture base over years.
Procedural
- Fixed dental bridge
Adjacent teeth are prepared (significant enamel reduction) to anchor a fixed prosthesis spanning the gap. Avoids the discomfort of a removable appliance but irreversibly modifies healthy neighbouring teeth.
Surgical
- Dental implants · View procedure page
Titanium or zirconia screw-form implants placed directly into the jawbone, typically restored with crowns or implant-supported bridges/dentures after osseointegration. The most durable solution; requires adequate bone volume (often confirmed by CBCT) and may require bone grafting or sinus lift in deficient sites.