Missing teeth could be caused by a number of issues, and will lead to major problems with the health, beauty, and even function of your smile. Which is why understanding tooth loss and replacing missing teeth is key to protecting your smile! In today’s blog, your Astoria, NY, dentist talks about replacing lost teeth to prevent major problems.
The Causes of Tooth Loss
Why do we lose our natural teeth? In some cases, untreated tooth decay or dental infection could be the culprit. Others may lose a tooth or two to injury or a sports accident. However, the most common cause is actually gum disease. In the advanced stage, known as periodontitis, the tissues connecting your teeth and gums begin to deteriorate. This causes teeth to become lost and eventually fall out completely. But no matter the cause, once you lose teeth several negative complications could occur.
The Impact on Your Smile
The gaps in your smile could cause misalignment, as the teeth will drift due to the spaces in your smile. Misalignment not only changes your smile’s appearance, but can also increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, as daily care is now more difficult. Missing teeth also change the balance of your bite, and could place pressure on your jaw joints. The result is the onset of TMJ disorder or bruxism, painful disorders linked to headaches, jaw pain, and damaged teeth. Finally, the jawbone itself could lose mass and density as the body diverts key nutrients away from the areas around the missing teeth. The gradual breakdown that follows means further tooth loss and for some, a prematurely aged appearance.
Possible Prosthetic Options
We have a number of different options to address your missing teeth! With a dental bridge, we have a prosthetic with new teeth that has crowns attached to each end. We place these crowns onto the abutment teeth on either side of the gap. For smiles with several teeth missing across the arch, we could create a partial denture that is held in place with metal clasps. Full dentures can be secured with suction or a special adhesive, replacing every tooth on one or both arches. Finally, with dental implants we insert biocompatible titanium roots into the jaw, which act as natural roots to the body and prevent the loss of mass and density in the jaw.
If you have any questions about how we address lost teeth, then please contact our team today. We want to help you enjoy good oral health!
Ready to Finally Replace Your Lost Teeth?
By replacing your lost teeth, you help protect your overall oral health. To learn more about how we address one or more lost teeth, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
