Why Replacing Lost Teeth Is Important

Around 70% of the population in the United States is missing one or more teeth. Because of the gaps in a person’s grin, tooth loss can lead to a loss of self-confidence. However, physical appearance isn’t the only side effect. Missing one or more teeth can have a significant impact on your day-to-day life as well as your overall oral health. If you opt not to get a replacement, you may face several consequences now and in the future. You might be wondering what your next steps are if you’ve recently lost a tooth. Should the lost tooth be replaced or left alone? Are there any drawbacks to not replacing a missing tooth? Let’s discuss. 

Why Replace Lost Teeth?

• Speech impediment

Your teeth serve an essential purpose in your life: they help you eat and speak. A missing tooth can make it difficult to pronounce certain words correctly or clearly, and it can also make biting difficult.

• Teeth Misalignment

One or more missing teeth can cause bite pressure to transfer to other teeth, causing these teeth to migrate into the space vacated by the missing tooth over time. Missing teeth can also encourage plaque build-up in hard-to-clean areas, leading to gum diseases and the loss of other teeth.

• Jawbone Deterioration 

When a tooth is lost, the bone no longer receives stimulation, resulting in bone degeneration and the weakening of the adjacent teeth. Other side effects include sunken cheeks and an aged appearance.  

• Affected appearance

Many studies have successfully linked tooth loss to depression in many patients. This phenomenon is easily explained by the way a missing tooth may affect your appearance and self-esteem. 

Teeth Replacement Options

• Dental Implants

Implants have become a common way to replace teeth that have been damaged or lost. Dental implants can be used instead of bridges and dentures or as a support for a dental plate to provide a solid basis to removable or permanent artificial teeth. They have the same feel and appearance as your natural teeth and are typically used to replace a single tooth, though they can also be used to replace multiple teeth.

• Dentures

A removable denture or bridge comprises replacement teeth attached to a pink or gum-colored plastic base, which is occasionally held in place by a metal framework. These can be both full or partial. 

• Dental Crowns & Bridges

A dental bridge is a device that replaces multiple lost teeth by fusing prosthetic teeth into a frame. The bridge is held in place by implants or teeth on each side of the gap, with the center section replacing the missing tooth. Bridges can also be utilized on implants to replace two or more lost teeth.

If you have recently lost one or multiple teeth, we encourage you to get in contact with our expert team of Plantation dentists and Tamarac dentists. We offer a wide variety of teeth replacement options to fit your needs and help restore your smile. 

January 29, 2022