Core message of National Love Teeth Day 2023 (VI) Extract teeth that cannot be saved and repair missing teeth in time

Author: Li Fei and Feng Xiping, School of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

In the mouths of the elderly, we often see large areas of missing teeth, and some teeth even have only the roots left. These teeth are medically called residual crowns and roots. This situation is mostly caused by the development of caries, which extensively damages the teeth, and partly due to severe wear and further breakage of the teeth. Many elderly people do not pay much attention to these residual roots and crowns in the mouth, thinking that they do not seem to have much impact if they are not swollen or painful in the mouth, and occasionally these remaining teeth can be used to help chew food. However, don't underestimate these residual crowns and roots. They may not have symptoms in the mouth at ordinary times, but they can cause harm to humans, and in severe cases, they can endanger life.

Tooth crown diagram

In addition to affecting the chewing and appearance of eating, the residual crowns and roots in the mouth can also have other more serious consequences. The residual crowns and roots sometimes have sharp edges, which can pierce the tissues of the cheek or tongue when chewing and talking, causing ulcers; the residual crowns and roots are also good places for harboring food residues and bacteria, and are the bases for pathogenic bacteria to grow and reproduce, and further spread to the surrounding areas. Near-site spread can cause oral diseases such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and apical periodontitis, and distant spread can enter the blood. With the spread of blood circulation, it can further cause other diseases throughout the body, including infective endocarditis, glomerulonephritis, etc.; if the residual roots and crowns exist for a long time, the sharp edges will constantly stimulate the oral mucosa, and the oral mucosa may even become malignant, forming oral cancer, such as tongue cancer and cheek cancer. Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, and its malignancy is very high.

Tongue cancer

In summary, we know the causes and hazards of residual roots and crowns. If you encounter similar dental problems in life, you should go to a regular medical institution for treatment in time. For residual roots and crowns that have no value to be retained, especially teeth with sharp edges that will irritate the mucosa, they should be removed as soon as possible.

Of course, removing these residual crowns and roots is not the end of the treatment process. Different methods should be selected according to the situation to repair the extracted teeth. Otherwise, it will cause the oral chewing function to decline, the opposite teeth to elongate, the adjacent teeth to shift, and even the upper and lower teeth to occlude in disorder. These problems will directly lead to a decline in the quality of life. Therefore, once a tooth is lost, it is necessary to go to a regular medical institution for denture restoration in time to maintain the integrity of the dentition and restore the basic functions of the oral cavity.

Restoration of missing teeth is usually performed 2 to 3 months after tooth extraction. With the advancement of medical technology, there are now a variety of methods to choose from for restoring missing teeth, including removable dentures, fixed dentures, and dental implants. Elderly people with missing teeth should choose a suitable restoration method under the guidance of a doctor to restore their chewing function.