Treatments to Replace Your Missing Teeth & Complete Your Smile

Common Causes of Tooth Loss

There are a number of reasons that can cause a person to lose their teeth, the most common being unchecked dental decay. Dental decay and infections can cause damage severe enough to require extraction. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, which places painful strain on the teeth and supporting structures, can also lead to tooth loss in extreme cases. Finally, trauma to the face, such as in a car or sporting accident, can damage the tooth itself or the connective soft and hard tissues that hold the tooth in place.

Effects of Tooth Loss

Many patients experience tooth pain or sensitivity soon after experiencing tooth loss. Tooth loss can also negatively affect speech, self-confidence, and how you eat. This is only the beginning of problems connected to tooth loss. Quick dental treatment is required to prevent a cascade of adverse oral health consequences.

Changes to your bite due to missing teeth can increase your risk of developing TMJ disorder. Eventually, the remaining teeth will begin to shift, filling in the gap left by a missing tooth. Crooked teeth can put you at higher risk for dental decay, gum recession, and bite imbalances. Finally, when a tooth root is missing for an extended period of time, the jawbone will begin to shrink. This deterioration can weaken your jaw and change the appearance of your facial structure, causing the cheeks to become concave and the lips to pucker.

Tooth loss can affect your speech, eating habits, and confidence, and cause a number of escalating oral health problems.

Replacing Missing Teeth

Regardless of whether you are missing one tooth, several, or all of your teeth, you have a number of choices to complete your smile, including:

Dental Implants

These titanium posts are surgically embedded into the jawbone. A dental crown, bridge, or denture is then attached, depending on the number of teeth needing replacement. Because dental implants fuse with the jawbone, it serves the function of a tooth root, thereby halting jawbone atrophy. Implants are incredibly durable, and can last a lifetime with proper care. They also provide an incredible lifelike support for your prosthetics.

Dental Bridges

These prosthetics are designed to replace one or more consecutive missing teeth. Traditionally, a bridge was formed of one or more prosthetic teeth that were attached to the healthy teeth on either side of a gap with crowns. Today, bridges can be anchored with dental implants for two or more missing teeth in a row while a single implant and a dental crown can replace one missing tooth.

Dentures 

This restoration can replace several to a full row of missing teeth on the upper or lower jaw, or both. Traditional dentures are held in place over the gums with suction and a basic adhesive. For a more comfortable form and fit, dentures can also be secured with dental implants.

Your Treatment Options

Missing teeth can be a physical and emotional hardship, but there are plenty of solutions for a full smile. Please contact us using our online form, or give us a call at (877) 738-9424, to find out more about your treatment options.