Why You Should Never Ignore a Missing Tooth
If you’re missing a tooth, you’re far from alone: By age 50, most Americans have lost at least one tooth due to tooth decay, injury, disease, or trauma. Fortunately, thanks to advancements in dental health care, you don’t have to live the rest of your life with a missing tooth.
Take a moment as Dr. Ramesh K. Sunar, DMD, of Charlotte Dental Implant Center tells you the health consequences of missing teeth, plus your options for replacement.
What are the consequences of a missing tooth?
You may think that a missing tooth doesn’t cause any harm aside from altering your smile. But that’s far from the truth. A missing tooth can lead to a host of emotional and physical consequences, including: Low self-esteem and issues related to self-consciousnessChanges to your smile or the shape of your faceDifficulty chewing properlyDifficulty speakingSagging around your mouth, if missing too many teethChanges to your jaw musclesChanges to your bite or positioning of your teeth
What causes teeth to fall out?
Teeth may fall out due to blunt force, such as falling face-forward or getting hit in the face with a ball. Other culprits behind missing teeth include tooth decay, gum disease, issues with the tooth root, and genetic conditions.
What are the treatment options for missing teeth?
Regardless of the cause of your missing tooth, as soon as you lose a tooth, you should start considering tooth replacement options. There are three main options for replacing a missing tooth:
Partial denture
Most people know dentures as replacements for full sets of teeth. But what you may not know is that you can opt for partial dentures. Partial dentures are custom-made to replace only the teeth you’re missing. This removable appliance consists of a fake tooth (or teeth) and a pink base that matches your gums.
Bridge and crown
This dynamic duo works together to “bridge” gaps in your smile and replace missing teeth with beautiful porcelain ones. Crowns and bridges work best if you’re missing just one or two teeth, as bridges require natural teeth to serve as attachments for the false teeth.
Dental implant
By far the most sturdy and stable of tooth replacement options, dental implants involve inserting a titanium rod into your tooth socket and then giving your jawbone time to integrate around it. Dr. Sunar places a porcelain tooth on the outer portion of the rod to complete your new smile. Dental implants are ideal for preventing bone degeneration along your jaw. All of these tooth replacement options have one thing in common: They can restore the aesthetics of your smile, as well as functionality for chewing and speaking.
How soon do I need to get a missing tooth replaced?
The short answer — as soon as possible. The longer you leave your gum, tooth socket, and tooth root exposed, the more opportunity there is for dental complications. To learn more about tooth replacement options, contact Charlotte Dental Implant Center today. Call our Charlotte, North Carolina, office at 704-559-1774, send us a message here on our website, or request an appointment online.