What to Know About Options for Replacing Missing Teeth
If you are missing teeth, you know how difficult it can be both aesthetically and from a health standpoint. It is difficult to live without teeth, but there are ways to fill in these gaps. Your dentist can present a few options for replacing them and restoring your smile and the function of your mouth. Before you choose which one to use, it is good to learn about how each one works and what the benefits are.
Missing teeth: how this happens and what the consequences are
Though teeth are strong and durable, under certain conditions, they can break or even fall out. Poor oral health is often a cause. When a tooth is severely decayed or infected (due to a lack of brushing and flossing), it can deteriorate and become brittle. It can eventually loosen and become dislodged, or the dentist may have to extract it. An accident or injury can also knock out a tooth. Biting into an object or suffering a blow to the mouth can do this.
Tooth loss can be embarrassing and make a person have low self-esteem. It is also difficult to eat many kinds of foods such as meat and bread. This can lead to nutrient deficiencies and a poor diet. When teeth are missing, an infection can develop in the sockets. Plus, adjacent teeth can drift, become loose, and fall out.
Some options can replace every tooth in the mouth
For people with a mouthful of missing teeth, the situation can be distressing and dire. The good news is that the dentist has treatments for total tooth loss. Dentures are a good solution. This appliance consists of a gum-colored base with false teeth. The base is acrylic, while the teeth are made of porcelain, ceramic, or metal covered in plastic. The base fits over the gums with the help of adhesive.
Some treatments require surgery
Be aware that some solutions for missing teeth include invasive procedures. When a person is missing a few teeth, the dentist may recommend dental implants. These durable, strong devices are made of a titanium post, an abutment, and a natural-looking crown. Implants can last for up to 20 years or more. They help the patient have a strong bite force.
To get implants, the patient must undergo at least two surgeries. For the first one, the dentist will insert the screw-like posts into the jaw. After a few months of healing, there is another surgery where the dentist attaches the abutment. The dentist then places the crown.
Continual oral hygiene is necessary
Replacing missing teeth does not eliminate the need for good dental care. The patient should continue to brush and floss daily. Regular dental appointments are important too. These activities will increase the effectiveness and life span of the treatment.
You can soon enjoy a full smile again
It is stressful to have missing teeth, but treatment is possible. There are a few different options for replacing these and having full use of your mouth. Your dentist will discuss these possibilities with you. Schedule a visit so that you can find out which one makes the most sense.
Request an appointment here: https://www.sacramentosleepdentist.com or call Dental Excellence of Greenhaven at (916) 293-0504 for an appointment in our Sacramento office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Options For Replacing Missing Teeth in Sacramento, CA.
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