Having a missing tooth is an uncomfortable experience. It is rather difficult to ignore the fact that your set of teeth is incomplete. For starters, your mouth will feel different. It’s even worse when you are missing one or more of your front teeth. You may become self-conscious and extra careful not to smile in public. This is not a rare occurrence; about 120 million Americans, according to the American College of Prosthodontists, are missing one or more teeth. However, you don’t have to live this way forever as there are ways to correct the situation.
Effects of Missing Teeth
Do you feel like you can live with a missing tooth? Well, a gap in your teeth is more than just an inconvenience. It goes beyond simply not being able to smile confidently or chew well. Here are some compelling reasons to consider a tooth replacement option.
Over-eruption of opposing teeth. Teeth maintain the ability to erupt and so if a tooth is lost, the tooth opposite (if not balanced by teeth either side of the space) may grow into the space that has been left. This often causes sensitivity, as more root surface becomes visible above the gum and since the hard enamel layer does not protect the root surface, it becomes more vulnerable to dental decay. Cleaning your teeth when this happens is more difficult due to the shape of the roots and gaps between the teeth that develop trapping food and plaque.
Tilting of teeth either side. Imagine taking a book from your book shelf… the books either side would then tilt towards one another to find support. Teeth can drift into spaces in this way, which may make putting a tooth in at a later date very challenging and creates a difficult cleaning area. There is no way to predict exactly how teeth are going to move into a gap and to what extent, but when it occurs as you can see, it does create problems. Read more at Jamie The Dentist…
You may not have realized that the teeth that remain when you lose some are at risk of overworking. Moreover, you may end up experiencing jaw problems. Additionally, your facial structure may go through some alteration when facial muscles lack the support given by teeth. Clearly, losing a tooth could be the first move in a bad game of dominoes.
Replacing Missing Teeth
The good news is that there are many options you could consider to replace missing teeth. Have a look at them and choose what suits your specific needs.
Porcelain Veneers
Tooth veneers are coverings over the teeth that just cover the front portion of the teeth. This isn’t a complete tooth replacement but if caused by trauma, most of the crown or top of the tooth that is gone needs to be replaced. If the root is intact but the crown is severely damaged then a veneer is a great option for tooth replacement. The surface of the tooth is prepared and the veneer is sealed on creating a cap over the smiling surface of the tooth…Dentures
Dentures have been a tooth replacement procedure for decades. George Washington is said to have had the first set made for him carved out of wood and real teeth embedded into the wood. Procedures have come a long way since then and dentures are now more comfortable and we use acrylic teeth. Read more at Smile Angels…
Whatever decision you make will need the approval of your dentist. That way, you can avoid many unnecessary complications from dental procedures.
Implants For Missing Teeth
Dental solutions are always improving. Therefore, there are other options that you could consider if you need a more comfortable and natural feel in your mouth.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium cylinders (screws) that are surgically placed into the jawbone where there are missing teeth below the gums. Once in place, they allow your dentist to mount replacement teeth onto them. Your new tooth, a crown, will look and feel similar to your real teeth.How Do Dental Implants Work?
Because implants fuse to your jawbone, they provide stable support for artificial teeth. Dentures and bridges mounted to implants won’t slip or shift in your mouth — an especially important benefit when eating and speaking. This secure fit helps the dentures and bridges — as well as individual crowns placed over implants — feel more natural than conventional bridges or dentures. Read more at Colgate…
Implants were developed to correct the weaknesses of dentures. With an implant, you don’t need to worry about unpleasant accidents when you’re at an important dinner event. Millions of people today are forever grateful for this ingenious tooth replacement solution.
At Harrel Dental Implant Center, you will find the most advanced dental implant technology in Charlotte. Let us provide you with the beautiful and confident smile you deserve. Call us today at 704-206-1330 or use the contact form on our website to make your appointment. We look forward to hearing from you.
