Our mouths were meant to house a full set of teeth. When even one is lost, a chain reaction occurs that can seriously compromise both your smile and oral health. Even if a lost tooth is not visible in your smile, the consequences will ultimately affect your appearance. Thankfully, there are several solutions available to those who have lost teeth, whether due to periodontal disease or dental trauma. The following guideline illustrates a few ways your dental professional can preserve your natural oral anatomy with high-quality prosthetics.
The Domino Effect: Consequences of Resorption
Your teeth function as a harmonious whole, and if even one socket becomes empty the rest of your teeth will respond by shifting toward the vacancy. This movement can lead to gaps in your smile and would need to be addressed either by orthodontics or even extraction.
Your jawbone reacts as well by losing volume, due to lack of stimulation from chewing. This deterioration leads to a prematurely aged appearance, characterized by a protruding chin and sunken look. The health effects must be taken into consideration as well; a compromised chewing function hinders digestion, which in turn affects how nutrients are distributed within your body.
These serious consequences can be avoided with dental prosthetics, including:
Crowns, Bridges, and Dentures
Whether you’ve lost one tooth or several, your trusted dental team can produce an effective prosthetic that allows you to chew normally and smile with confidence. Single unit crowns address single vacancies, while bridges and partials fill gaps left by several missing teeth. These restorations typically require the alteration of neighboring teeth to be held in place.
Dentures are ideal for those who have lost entire arches of teeth. These prosthetics depend on either suction or a special adhesive to stay in place. They can be conveniently removed and left to soak in clean water overnight.
Restorations Retained by Dental Implants
The most effective way to replace missing teeth is to have dental implants placed. These titanium posts are biocompatible with gum tissue and bone, meaning they will be able to integrate with the jawbone and serve as tooth roots. Not only that, but dental implants do not require the alteration of surrounding teeth and typically do not require adjustments. Your new teeth, supported by dental implants, are built to last, allowing you to smile confidently and restoring function to your bite.
For more information on traditional and implant-supported prosthetics, call Willowbrook Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery today! We perform preparatory procedures that allow you to receive implants if resorption has already occurred. Schedule your consultation today!