Cosmetic Dentistry Directory Blog
Cosmetic Dentistry Directory
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth
If you have lost one or more teeth, it is important to get
them replaced as soon as possible. There are certainly obvious cosmetic issues
impacting your smile when there is a big space between teeth. However, these
cosmetic issues, while important, pale in comparison to the oral health issues associated
with tooth loss.
Failure to replace missing teeth can lead to the following
problems:
- Difficulty biting and chewing
- Increased risk of jawbone deterioration which may lead to loss of additional teeth
- Remaining teeth may shift to fill in the gap, causing bite alignment issues
- Recession of gum line which may compromise oral health and lead to the development of gum disease
Dental
implants are by far the most effective option to replace missing teeth. They
provide you with a permanent replacement for both your tooth and your root. The
dental implant procedure must be completed in several stages. In the first
stage, the implant is inserted into your jawbone. Over the next three to six
months, your jaw will heal and the bone will fuse with the dental implant,
allowing it to function as a replacement root. This process is called osseointegration.
Once osseointegration has been completed, your cosmetic
dentist will attach a small titanium rod, called an abutment, to your dental
implant. In the final stage, a dental
crown will be attached to the abutment to provide you with a fully functional
prosthetic tooth.
In order to be considered a suitable candidate for dental
implants, you must have sufficient jawbone density to accommodate the implant.
If you do not have enough bone structure, a bone graft may be an option.
However, if your cosmetic dentist determines that you are not a candidate for
dental implants, you may want to consider alternatives such as dentures or
dental bridges.
Please contact us
today to find a qualified cosmetic dentist in your area.
posted by Andrew at 10:34 AM
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