Those who have a missing tooth have likely heard a lot about the effects of missing teeth and replacement options. Replacing a missing tooth is more than just improving the smile’s appearance. To fully get the importance of tooth replacement, it is crucial to understand the effects of leaving the tooth unreplaced. This article covers some of the truths and myths surrounding teeth replacement.
The following are truths regarding the replacement of a missing tooth:
A missing tooth causes jawbone loss: The jawbone gets its strength from the stimulation generated when biting and chewing. Once the tooth is lost, the bone in the area weakens because it cannot get adequate stimulation. Bone weakening is also called resorption. This condition can affect the structural integrity of other teeth.
Other teeth will shift: When there is a gap between the teeth, other teeth will begin to move, causing bite misalignment. The shift may cause the teeth to loosen, a phenomenon called bite collapse and tooth splaying. The crooked teeth can make the teeth difficult to clean, leading to other dental issues.
Headaches: A missing tooth can result in headaches and temporomandibular joint disorder. The problem is that with one tooth gone, the rest of the teeth have to work more chew and bite foods.
Replacing missing teeth is painful: This is one of the common myths that has discouraged many from seeking teeth replacement options. This is however untrue. The dentist will perform the dental restoration procedure under local anesthetic, which means patients will not experience any pain during and after the procedure. Also, when the process is handled by a professional dentist, the risks are minimal and patients will get to discuss options to minimize pain during and after the treatment.
Teeth replacement is too expensive: It is reasonable to consider the cost of replacing a lost tooth. Most people would prefer to stay with a hole in their smiles than spend a lot of money on dental restoration. However, the process is not as expensive as people think. The dentist can provide patients with cost-effective and practical options to replace the tooth. Despite this, the cost of doing nothing is more so it is better to go through with the process.
Tooth replacements stand out between the teeth: Years ago, the materials used for replacing a missing tooth were not as natural-looking as those available now. Advancements in dentistry have provided dentists with materials that are customizable and blend in seamlessly with the rest of the smile.
Replacing a missing tooth is necessary because the consequences of leaving a hole in the smile are too serious to overlook, whether it be jawbone resorption and headaches to misaligned teeth and speech issues. Multiple dental studies have shown that losing only one tooth can cause the collapse of the bite and the loss of other teeth. It is advisable to visit a general dentist as soon as possible to discuss tooth replacement options.
Request an appointment here: https://www.gatewaydental.org or call Gateway Dental Dr. William Swann DDS at (301) 485-7492 for an appointment in our Bowie office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Missing Tooth in Bowie, MD.
Periodontics focuses on diagnosing and treating issues that affect gum tissues and the other structures that support teeth. They provide a wide range of treatments, from restorative treatments for periodontal disease to cosmetic treatments aimed at improving the aesthetics of a person’s smile.Here are a few of the popular treatments used in periodontics to address…
The ideal shade of white targeted during teeth whitening treatments is a few shades lighter than the white of the patient’s eyes. Whitening treatments can make teeth whiter than that, but the results typically would not look natural compared to the rest of the patient’s physical features. Teeth whitening treatments aim to get the patient…
A dental bridge is an option for those who have lost teeth and need to fill in that space to complete their smile or bite. The procedure involves crowns being placed on supporting teeth (known as abutment teeth) that are fused with your missing tooth or teeth by what's called an implant post. The tooth-replacement…
Invisalign® treatment can be used to gradually align your teeth through plastic trays that your dentist changes every two weeks. As the teeth move, you will not need to wear the plastic trays anymore, and the results are clear, natural-looking teeth with healthy gums and fresh breath. In this article, we'll take an in-depth look…
Periodontics focuses on diagnosing and treating issues that affect gum tissues and the other structures…
Professional teeth whitening treatments are the ideal way to get teeth whitened and they lead…
A bridge might be your best option if you have one tooth that's damaged or…
Invisalign® treatment can be used to gradually align your teeth through plastic trays that your…
A family dentist focuses on treating oral health conditions for all members of a family,…
One of the advantages of dental bonding is that a defect in the tooth can…
