Life is all about choices. Fortunately, that’s also true when it comes to your dental health. A healthy mouth holds a total of 32 teeth (including four wisdom teeth), and provides an intimidating number of possible tooth loss patterns. Whether your teeth succumb to decay and must be extracted, or are lost due to severe traumatic injury, replacing them is vital to preserving your oral health. Fortunately, we offer a wide variety of prosthetic dentistry options for restoring function and beauty to your smile, regardless of the severity and pattern of your tooth loss.
The Importance of Replacing Lost Teeth
Losing a single tooth may not always seem like a big deal, especially if it’s in the back of your mouth and not as noticeable as if it were in the front. Even one lost tooth, however, can have disastrous results for your oral health if left unattended. The remaining teeth can drift towards the open space, making them more vulnerable to decay and throwing your bite out of balance. As replacement teeth, dental bridges and partial/full dentures can help prevent this shift, as well as restore your bite’s functionality.
More Complete Tooth Replacement with Implants
An incomplete smile is not the only concern regarding tooth loss. Healthy teeth are embedded in your jawbone and the stimulation of their roots when you bite and chew projects your jaw’s need for enough nutrients to support them. This nutrient supply is diminished with every lost tooth root, and the deficiency can lead to jawbone deterioration and further tooth loss.
By securing your replacement teeth to one or more dental implants, which are surgically inserted into your jawbone, you can replace lost tooth root stimulation and preserve your oral health. Your jawbone fuses to the implant’s biocompatible titanium surface, creating an anchor for your replacement teeth that’s as secure as your healthy natural teeth.