Millions of adults are missing permanent teeth, and their loss is not always due to poor oral health. Not only are there a multitude of reasons why people are missing teeth, there are also several methods of replacing them. Missing permanent teeth is not just a cosmetic issue. Because missing teeth can create threats to your oral and overall health, it’s important to replace missing teeth. Dr. Mark Sowell of Aesthetic Dentistry Centre is an experienced Plano, TX dentist who helps patients restore their smile and protect their health.
Consequences of Missing Teeth
Restoring your complete smile can be beneficial to more than just your confidence. Aside from giving you a less-than-perfect smile, missing teeth can negatively impact jawbone health, stability of teeth and bite, and increase your risk of gum disease. To preserve the long-term health of your smile, it’s important to seriously consider options to replace.
The biggest risk associated with missing teeth is deterioration of jaw bone tissue, which can lead to additional oral health problems. When teeth and their roots are gone, the underlying jaw bone is no longer stimulated and begins to erode. When this happens, the remaining teeth become less stable in the mouth and may become loose, crooked, or shift and cause problems with jaw alignment.
Loose or crooked teeth, or a misaligned jaw, can increase your risk for tooth decay and gum disease as well as causing excessive wear and tear on your teeth. This increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease is because crooked teeth are more difficult to clean between, and loose teeth may allow bacteria to settle in beneath the gum line. Crooked teeth can also become overcrowded as they continue to shift, posing a risk of fracture.
How to Replace Missing Teeth
To protect your teeth and the stability of your bite, it is important to replace missing teeth as soon as you can. Missing teeth can cause issues with bite stability which can lead to problems eating or speaking, so seeking treatment is important. Leaving a gap in your smile for too long can mean that your jaw bone tissue may have eroded too much to support a dental implant if this is the method of tooth replacement you choose.
Dental implants are a popular long-term tooth replacement option because they permanently replace missing teeth and restore the natural appearance and full functionality of your smile. There are other options such as dentures and dental bridges but these are less permanent. If you have multiple dental issues, you best option may be a smile makeover, which is a combination of several cosmetic treatments to give you the results you’re looking for.
Missing Teeth Treatment in Plano, TX
No matter what your dental treatment goals, Aesthetic Dentistry Centre can help you! Schedule a consultation online with Dr. Sowell or call (972) 382-6855 to get on track to restore your smile.