Expert Tips Tooth Gap - What Can You Do?

Expert: Dr. Christoph T. Sliwowski (58), Head of the Dentistry Clinic Dusseldorf in the St. Vincent Hospital
"Before any treatment is always a detailed consultation, in which we not only look into the mouth, but also note certain anatomical and health conditions for the insertion of dentures. Thus, the jawbone does not work any more in the case of a gap and breaks down over time. Because normally the jaw bone experiences a burden when crushing the food, which it must withstand.

If this uniform pressure is missing, the gums will slowly recede in addition to the bone and the corresponding areas. For this reason, it is advisable to provide tooth gaps in a timely manner otherwise affected are in a vicious circle: Neighboring teeth will eventually lack the necessary support. This often results in misalignments or further loss of teeth, which in turn leads to reduced pressure forces, "Dr. Sliwowski.

A tooth gap does not have to be. Picture: artepicturas -fotolia

The best gap fillers
"Since implants sit firmly and securely in the jaw, they are considered the optimal solution to replace missing teeth. But bridges also bring about an improvement. Whether metal allergies, anxiety patients or special wishes - today dentistry has many options to replace teeth. Even patients, in whom the jawbone has already regressed, need not do without an implant. Bone building material, made of artificial material, cattle or human hip bone, rebuild the jaw in the appropriate places and provide a secure fit for dentures. Meanwhile, there are also simple and affordable solutions for a complete edentulous lower and upper jaw: SOS method, All-on-4 and SOS-4 maxilla, three systems of immediate restoration on a few implants. On these, one's own prosthesis can be firmly engaged by means of a special technique and taken out again at any time for cleaning, "emphasizes Dr. med. Sliwowski concludes.