Are you missing one or more teeth due to gum disease, tooth decay, or an injury. You certainly aren’t alone. It is estimated that at least 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. 40 million of those are missing all of their teeth. You’ve probably wondered which option is right for you. Your dentist shares different solutions for missing teeth and why dental implants in Tyler may be the best choice.
Why Should I Replace My Missing Teeth?
The main purpose that your teeth have is chewing your food so that you can stay nourished. For each missing tooth you have, you lose about 10% of your chewing ability. Losing a tooth can cause many different issues including:
- Misaligned teeth: When you’re missing a tooth, neighboring teeth may grow into the gap, becoming crowded and crooked.
- Gum disease and tooth decay: When you have a missing tooth, this increases the likelihood of gum recession which leads to “pockets” in the gums. Bacteria can grow in these areas causing increased plaque, inflammation, and potential infection.
- Jawbone shrinkage: When your jawbone no longer supports teeth, it begins to shrink over time. When your jawbone shrinks, your face adjusts with it. There is no longer as much blood flow to certain regions of the face. Ultimately, it can make you look much older than you actually are.
What Are My Options for Replacing Missing Teeth?
Dental Bridges
Bridges are an easy way to replace a single tooth or as many as three in a row. The natural teeth on each side of the gap are covered with dental crowns, and they are bonded to additional crowns in the middle to close the space. They are specially designed to match the rest of the teeth and enable a patient to eat just as they normally would!
Dentures
For someone who has lost most or all of their teeth, dentures can be life changing. Each denture is personalized for one person. These prosthetics are designed from scratch for each patient. They consist of natural looking teeth bonded to a gum-colored base that fits securely and comfortably in the mouth. Both full and partial dentures can be made based off of your unique situation.
Dental Implant Restorations
Ultimately, dental implants are the longest lasting, strongest, and most natural looking solution for a smile that is missing teeth. A titanium implant is inserted directly into the jawbone to replace the natural root of the missing tooth. This implant supports the new crowns placed on top.
An ideal candidate for dental implants is someone who is in good general and oral health, has healthy gum tissues, and an adequately strong jawbone to support the implant. No age is too old if you have a healthy mouth that can support them.
If you are missing teeth, it is very important for your oral and overall health to get them replaced as soon as possible. Fortunately, you have many options. Talk to your dentist about whether dental implants, dental bridges, or dentures in Tyler may be a good solution for you.
About the Author
Dr. Javier Perez has nearly 25 years of experience in the dental field. He earned his initial dental degree at the University of Medicine at Cuba. When he came to the United States, he attended and graduated from dental school a second time at UCLA. He currently serves in the U.S. Army National Guard with a rank of Major. He loves helping his patients in Tyler, TX get the smiles they have always wanted. Dr. Perez offers dental bridges, dentures, and dental implants at his practice. For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit his website or call (903) 534-8110.