Dental treatment is most effective when it lasts. If your smile is afflicted by tooth decay or gum disease, then appropriate treatment should also reduce the risk of further infection in the future. When it comes to tooth loss, restoring your smile is most effective when you replace the entire structure of your lost tooth, the loss of which can devastate your oral health in the long-run. Today, your Astoria dentist, Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz, tests your knowledge of tooth loss, and why dental implants may be the best option for replacing lost teeth.
Saving Your Smile from Tooth Loss
1.) Tooth loss is only significant when you’ve lost most or all of your teeth.
a.) True
b.) False
2.) What part of your teeth do most dental prosthetics replace?
a.) Crown c.) Pulp
b.) Root d.) Dentin
3.) What oral structure, other than your teeth, relies on healthy tooth roots and dental implants to stay strong and healthy?
a.) Gums c.) Jawbone
b.) Tongue d.) Lips
4.) With proper care and maintenance, dental implants can last a lifetime.
a.) True
b.) False
Answers
1.) False—Even a single lost tooth can drastically affect your oral health. Remaining teeth can shift towards the gap to take up the slack, not to mention the visually striking image of a gapped tooth smile. All of your teeth were meant to last a lifetime, and your continued good oral health may require replacing any teeth that have been lost as soon as possible.
2.) Crown—As the top part of your tooth, the crown is also the only visible part. The crowns of your teeth, which extend above the gum line, have been the main focus of modern dental prosthetics, such as dental bridges and dentures.
3.) Jawbone—When you bite and chew, the pressure stimulates the roots within your jawbone, telling your body that your jaw needs enough minerals and nutrients to support them. When tooth roots and their stimulation are lost, the nutrient supply diminished, and jawbone deterioration can lead to the loss of more teeth, as well as facial collapse.
4.) True—Once your dental implant(s) is surgically inserted into your jawbone, the prosthetic tooth root can remain for life with proper care and maintenance. Unfortunately, your prosthetic teeth may need replacing after years of use, but your implants are designed to remain intact for life after fusing to your jawbone.
Address Tooth Loss with Dental Implants from Your Astoria Dentist
To learn more about the consequences of tooth loss, or to find out if dental implants are right for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Leibowitz by calling our Astoria cosmetic dentist’s office today at (718) 728-8320. Located in the 11106 area, we proudly serve patients from Astoria, Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the surrounding communities.
