My aunt lives with me and has had dental problems for a few years. She has a partial denture for two missing lower left teeth. Last month, the dentist placed two new fillings. Last Wednesday, she lost two more teeth lower tooth on the right side of her mouth. My aunt is 76 but self-conscious. I suspect she still has gum disease, although her dentist says he treated it, and she only goes twice a year for deep cleanings. I’m unsure whether she would get a dental bridge at her age or another partial. She has a limited budget. What are her possible options? – Thanks. Akanksha from MD

Akanksha,

Your aunt needs immediate care from a gum disease specialist.

What Causes Multiple Tooth Loss?

Advanced gum diseases cause multiple tooth loss. If your aunt recently lost two more teeth, she has advanced gum disease. We recommend scheduling an appointment with a periodontist (gum disease specialist). Although her dentist may think the gum disease is controlled, tooth loss means that it’s out of control.

If your aunt’s remaining teeth are unstable and she has gum disease, a dental bridge is not an option. Natural teeth are the anchors for the replacement teeth in a dental bridge. However, the bridge puts stress on the anchor teeth, which would likely cause additional tooth loss for your aunt.

Dental implants are the ideal option for missing teeth but are too expensive for someone with a limited budget. A periodontist must evaluate your aunt’s gum and bone health to determine which tooth replacement options are best and when to place them. A Cu-Sil partial denture may be an option. However, openings in the denture allow existing teeth to poke through.

See a periodontist for gum disease treatment. A restoring dentist can collaborate with the periodontist to develop a treatment plan for replacing your aunt’s teeth at the optimal time. Meanwhile, the dentist will explain options for temporary teeth replacement.

Plano, Texas, female dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy sponsors this post.