Ways to Restore Missing Teeth
When you’re a child, the idea of losing a tooth is exciting since it means you’ll get a visit from the tooth fairy. When you’re an adult, the idea of losing a tooth doesn’t exactly warrant the same excitement.
The thing is, if you lose an adult tooth, you’re likely to deal with a number of negative side effects, making it very important to address any gaps you have in your smile right away. In order to restore your smile and improve your oral health, here’s what you need to know about missing teeth.
How Do Adults Lose Teeth?
Since there’s no need for your adult teeth to fall out like when you’re a child, grownups typically lose teeth for three main reasons:
Accidents
Whether you took a nasty fall or got into a minor car accident, if your mouth takes a hit or experiences trauma, you may find yourself with a missing tooth or two.
Poor Oral Hygiene/Habits
If you fail to take proper care of your mouth, bacteria buildup can cause decay and gum disease, resulting in the tooth falling out on its own.
Extraction
A tooth may need to be surgically extracted if it is damaged beyond repair due to trauma, eliminate overcrowding, or if it is no longer healthy due to decay.
The Negative Effects of Missing Teeth
Although you may think that having a missing tooth or several missing teeth just leaves a few gaps in your smile, that’s far from the truth. Living with missing teeth can cause you to experience a number of negative side effects — such as:
Difficulty Eating and Speaking
Each tooth in your mouth works to break down food into small pieces that are safe enough to swallow. They also work with your tongue to form certain sounds and words.
If you’re missing teeth, you won’t be able to eat certain foods safely or form consonant sounds, resulting in a lack of proper nutrition and speaking ability.
Decreased Oral Health
Even if you have all your teeth, bacteria still finds its way into the crevices between teeth and can cause plaque buildup. If you’re missing teeth, you provide bacteria with even more space to live, leading to further decay. If left untreated, this decay can worsen into gum disease and other oral health issues — which can cause you to lose even more teeth.
Facial Changes
Especially if you’re missing your front teeth, your lips can begin to fold over your gums, which can increase the chances of the skin beginning to sag. This can make you appear older than you are as your face begins to change.
Restoring Missing Teeth
When you have missing teeth, there are several treatment options that can restore the look and function of your mouth:
Dental Bridge
A dental bridge works by placing crowns on the two teeth adjacent to the missing tooth or by placing an implant into your jaw. Bridges can help resolve issues caused by one or multiple missing teeth.
Dentures
A restorative option for adults with several missing teeth or entire arches, dentures are a typically non-invasive way to restore your mouth. For a more secure hold, you can opt for implant-secured dentures.
Dental Implants
Receiving an implant involves having an anchor surgically secured into your jaw bone which is then covered with a dental crown. Dental implants are the most secure, natural-feeling restorative treatment for missing teeth and, when properly cared for, can last a lifetime.
Restorative Dentistry in Dallas
Whether you’re in need to address a single missing tooth or require major reconstruction, the team at } has the level of expertise required to develop personalized treatment plans that fit your needs.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our team!