Have you lost a tooth in your smile zone? Is a lost tooth causing bad breath or other oral health issues?
Dr. Benjamin Stevens at Beautiful Smiles can replace your lost tooth with a prosthetic using modern dental treatments and materials.
Missing teeth can impact all aspects of your life. Missing teeth can make it difficult to chew, speak, and smile confidently. Even one missing tooth may compromise the health of your remaining teeth, gums structure, and function of your jaw and bite.
Replacing missing teeth can prevent further deterioration of your oral health. We can reduce the risk of secondary oral health complications, such as gum disease and further tooth loss. Advancements in restorative dentistry have made replacing missing teeth more natural and long-lasting.
Greenwood, IN restorative dentist Dr. Stevens offers full-service dental implant treatment plans to replace a single missing tooth or to secure a full denture.
Patients who do not replace their missing teeth are more susceptible to additional tooth loss. The risk of bone deterioration can greatly increase because no structure supports a healthy jawbone. Missing teeth can cause the remaining teeth to shift, loosen, or even fall out.
Without the support of all of your teeth, your jaw becomes increasingly weak and can begin to deteriorate. Although this is not as common as developing periodontal disease. Your gums suffer the brunt of it. Therefore, talking to your dentist about replacement options is highly recommended.
Why Replace Missing Teeth?
Especially if you have just a single missing tooth, you may not feel like you have to replace it. Maybe it’s in a spot in your mouth where no one sees it in your smile. But even a single missing tooth can have a large impact on your oral health. Depending on where the tooth is located in your mouth, you may be unable to pronounce certain words properly. The way your tongue and teeth interact is very important for being able to produce certain sounds when you’re speaking.
Particularly if you’re missing a tooth in the back of your mouth, it can be hard to eat all the foods you want to. Your molars are crucial for chewing certain foods that are healthy and beneficial to your diet. Things like fibrous fruits and vegetables are great for both your teeth and your general diet, but they can be difficult to break down without all of your molars.
When you lose the tooth root, your jawbone immediately begins to break down in that area. Unless you replace teeth with dental implants, it continues to degrade over time. Your facial muscles rely on that jawbone for support so that your face still looks full. Without it, your face begins to droop and sag, prematurely aging you.
When you’re missing one tooth, you’re more likely to lose more teeth. It impacts the surrounding teeth and you’re more likely to suffer from tooth decay and gum disease. It gives you an uneven bite, which can cause further issues with your oral health. Certain teeth take on more pressure than others with an uneven bite, so those wear down and get damaged faster. Uneven bites are also one of the big risks of developing TMJ disorders. TMJ can cause pain and disrupt the use of your jaw joint.
If you have a hole in your smile, the teeth around it want to fill it. They’ll start to move and shift to make up for the gap in your smile. This leads to further bite issues and more consequences. If you’ve had orthodontic treatment before, you can suffer an orthodontic relapse because of how your teeth shift. You may need to get orthodontic treatment again after you get the tooth replaced.
In-house Dental Implants Indianapolis, IN
Beautiful Smiles offers in-house dental implants for consistent, high-quality results. Dr. Stevens is a general dentist with advanced training and expertise in implant dentistry. Our dental care team provides support and treatment for all phases of the implant procedure. Patients enjoy a streamlined treatment plan without the need to visit off-site specialists.
Dr. Stevens offers restorative options for replacing missing teeth. Through a thorough dental exam and personalized consultation, Dr. Stevens helps patients choose a restorative option for replacing their missing teeth based on the patient’s oral health, cosmetic goals, and budget.
Dr. Stevens also offers dental bridges, full or partial dentures, and dental implant-secured restorations to replace missing teeth.
Options for Replacing Missing Teeth:
- Dental implants: Getting a tooth implant is the most popular tooth replacement option for a single missing tooth.
- Dental Bridges: Dental bridges work to close the gap between teeth with a removable prosthetic. This restoration is a tried-and-true method for many dentists and patients. Although it does not permanently address the underlying issue.
- Dentures: Full and partial dentures are a great way to replace a row of missing teeth. Dr. Stevens can create modern dentures that are more comfortable and slip-proof than ever.
Missing Teeth FAQs
What is the best option for replacing missing teeth?
Every dentist will agree that dental implants are the best option to replace missing teeth. Because they are so advanced, they are the next best thing to natural teeth. Traditional dentures and bridges will not replace the teeth at the root. The implants act as missing teeth roots and will thus help prevent bone loss in the jaw. They are also more stable and durable. Patients will not have to worry about the restoration slipping around or food restrictions.
What happens if I lose a tooth and do not replace it?
Waiting too long to replace a tooth can lead to many problems. If a gap is located along your arch, food particles can get stuck, leading to infections. An infection in the gums will lead to further damage and cause more tooth loss. Teeth adjacent to the gap will begin to shift towards the gap. This can create bite problems leading to TMJ disorders or worn-down teeth. Bone loss is also inevitable since the jaw bone relies on stimulation from the tooth root.
Schedule a Dental Exam & Consultation
Our dental care team at Beautiful Smiles is committed to helping patients address their dental concerns so they may enjoy their optimal oral health. We invite new and returning patients in the Indianapolis area to schedule an appointment with Dr. Benjamin Stevens. Our family-focused, patient-centric dentist office can help you restore your natural smile with a personalized treatment plan.
