Why it's Important To Replace Mising Teeth
Many patients do not realize the damage a missing tooth can cause to your oral health. From teeth shifting to bone loss, your mouth will pay a significant price. Our team at Manhattan Maxillofacial Surgery Group can walk you through the restoration process, and slow down or eliminate the damage of a missing tooth with a dental prosthesis such as a bridge, denture, or dental implant. Dr. Del Valle and Dr. Shahgoli can evaluate the health of your bone, and make recommendations based on your needs.
Why Teeth are Lost
There are several reasons that a tooth can be lost, this may include:
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Orthodontia:Your orthodontist may request teeth to be removed to improve your bite. In this situation, the removal of teeth a positive step to your oral health. |
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Decay:Teeth that have been subject to untended decay are subject to extraction. Depending on the extent of the decay, we may not be able to save the tooth. |
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Injury:From sports to traumatic impact injury, teeth can be fractured or knocked out. In some instances we may be able to save the injured tooth, and even teeth that have been entirely knocked out can sometimes be placed back in their socket. |
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Impacted:Teeth that do not erupt, or fully erupt, such as your wisdom teeth, may require extraction. |
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Gum Disease:The leading cause of tooth loss in adults, gum disease forms gum pockets, separating the tooth from the gum tissue. If not taken care of, your teeth will begin to come loose, and eventually come out. |
What happens when a tooth is lost?
Whether the lost tooth is visible or not, there are effects that will occur that will affect your bite and facial appearance.
Shifting
Your bite is important to the function and aesthetic of your oral health. Open spaces from missing teeth leaves room for teeth to shift changing your bite. A change in your bite can mean problems with TMJ dysfunction, which can cause jaw pain, clicking, popping, or even the inability to open and close your jaw. TMJ dysfunction has also been linked to ear pain and migraines. Aesthetically, shifting teeth can alter the look of your smile, creating gaps, and having an uneven smile.
Bone Loss
When a tooth is lost, there is an immediate response from your jaw bone of absorption. Bone, like your muscles, requires constant motion and stimulation to stay healthy. Without the pressure of chewing being applied in the space where a tooth is lost, the bone will decrease in size giving the patient the sunken facial appearance that is commonly associated with older age.
What can I do if I have lost a tooth?
When a tooth is lost, we can place a dental appliance to replace the tooth. Dental bridges, and denture devices can be used, they will prevent shifting but not will not provide the stimulation that your jaw bone needs. To get the feel of your natural tooth and preserve the bone, a dental implant can be placed. Dental implants are the only tooth restoration that also replaces the root of a tooth, giving you a stable tooth restoration that does not rely on or alter neighboring teeth. Implants also preserve the bone and prevent neighboring teeth from shifting.
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