We tend to think about teeth as individual units, your dentist even gives each
tooth a name and number, but in fact they make up a complete system. Each one
adding to its neighbor to function as one.Think about how the keystone in an arch
holds all the other stones or bricks in place .
For purposes of description, we can think about the human dentition full
complement of teeth as being composed of the anterior teeth these are the
canines and incisors which are used for cutting and tearing food, and the
posterior teeth these are the premolars and molars used for grinding and chewing
food.
Importantly , the posterior teeth also support the vertical height of the face , if
they are lost, the face tends to lose height and close down , this is called posterior
bite collapse .Unlike implants, teeth move not only do changes occur to the
remaining back teeth affecting their spacing and biting function, these changes
also put pressure on the front teeth which tend to move or splay forward .
All these changes have implications for normal form appearance and function.
Theys also have ramifications for other facial and jaw structures which can affect
anything from the skin to muscles and jaw joints .
Appearance begins to change as the height of the jaw decreases ,wrinkles
increase and the corners of the mouth drop .Additionally , it can become difficult
to eat food because the front teeth where not designed for chewing .This is to
say nothing of the social consequences of tooth loss ,smiling ,talking , singing

,laughing and enjoying a nutritionally sound diet all leading to both poor general
and mental health.
Teeth Replacements
1.Dental implants are relative new kid on the block for replacing missing teeth
.

2. Removable options or Dentures .
   Dentures can replace individual or groups of teeth .a fundamental problem with
   removable prostheses is that for stability ,they rest on the teeth and gums
   tending to cause bone loss through pressure transmitted through the gums upon
   they rest. For total teeth replacement whether in the upper or lower jaw full
   dentures have been the only option.
3. Fixed bridges .
   These are non-removable prostheses which are attached to the natural teeth
   .they act by joining other teeth together with a false tooth or teeth between them
   bridging the gap.
   Dr Matovu Muhammad
   Dental Surgeon at Prime Dental Clinic and He is the CDE Coordinator Uganda
   Dental Association.