Tooth Loss and Dental Implant Statistics
More people in America are missing or tooth or multiple teeth than you may realize. That’s why Dr. Bill Stofer offers the people of Warsaw, IN numerous treatments for tooth loss, including dental implants to support crowns, bridges, and dentures. These artificial tooth roots are extremely effective for treating varying degrees of tooth loss.
The team at Dental Solutions would like to consider some revealing statistics about missing teeth and implant dentistry in America. These numbers may surprise you, and remind you how important it is to brush, floss, and visit your dentist regularly.
The Rate of Tooth Loss in America
According to statistics from the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP), 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. The ACP also estimates that 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth.
The Leading Causes of Tooth Loss
A 2012 study of a Brazilian dental clinic was published by the International Journal of Dentistry. This study noted the most common reasons why tooth extractions were performed at the practice. While the data may come from South America, the most common causes of tooth loss are consistent with what we see at our Warsaw dental center.
- Cavities/Tooth Decay - 38.4 percent
- Gum Disease - 32.3 percent
- Eruption Problems - 6.4 percent
- Orthodontic Issues - 5.7 percent
- Prosthetics - 3.6 percent
- Injury/Trauma - 2.6 percent
- Occlusal Problems - 1.1. percent
- Other - 9.9 percent
Statistics on Age and Tooth Loss
Numbers from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) reveal how tooth loss is more common with advanced age. Here are the average number of remaining teeth by age group. (An average human mouth has 28 teeth once the wisdom teeth have been removed.)
- People age 20-34 - 26.90 remaining teeth
- People age 35-49 - 25.05 remaining teeth
- People age 50-64 - 22.30 remaining teeth
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that 13 percent of people age 65 to 74 are missing all of their teeth; an estimated 26 percent of people age 75 and older are missing all of their teeth.
Numbers on Smoking and Tooth Loss
Smoking is linked to gum disease, tooth decay, and other serious dental health issues that cause tooth loss. According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), a man will lose an average of 2.9 teeth for every decade of smoking; for women, the number is 1.5 teeth.
Consider these facts yet another compelling reason to kick the habit for good.
How Many People Have Dental Implants?
The American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) estimates that 3 million Americans have at least one dental implant in place. Using previous statistics above, that means roughly 1.6 percent of people who are missing teeth have dental implants.
The Success Rates of Dental Implants
While there is a low number of people who have dental implants relative to the total number of people missing teeth, the satisfaction rate is high. The Journal of Oral Implantology estimates that the overall success rate of implant dentistry is around 98 percent. This is consistent with patient satisfaction for dental implants at our Warsaw dentistry center.
Contact Us for a Consultation
To learn more about dental implants and why they may be right for you, be sure to contact a skilled cosmetic and restorative dentist. The team at Dental Solutions can be reached by phone at (574) 269-1199.