Those who have a missing tooth have likely heard a lot about the effects of missing teeth and replacement options. Replacing a missing tooth is more than just improving the smile’s appearance. To fully get the importance of tooth replacement, it is crucial to understand the effects of leaving the tooth unreplaced. This article covers some of the truths and myths surrounding teeth replacement.
The following are truths regarding the replacement of a missing tooth:
A missing tooth causes jawbone loss: The jawbone gets its strength from the stimulation generated when biting and chewing. Once the tooth is lost, the bone in the area weakens because it cannot get adequate stimulation. Bone weakening is also called resorption. This condition can affect the structural integrity of other teeth.
Other teeth will shift: When there is a gap between the teeth, other teeth will begin to move, causing bite misalignment. The shift may cause the teeth to loosen, a phenomenon called bite collapse and tooth splaying. The crooked teeth can make the teeth difficult to clean, leading to other dental issues.
Headaches: A missing tooth can result in headaches and temporomandibular joint disorder. The problem is that with one tooth gone, the rest of the teeth have to work more chew and bite foods.
Replacing missing teeth is painful: This is one of the common myths that has discouraged many from seeking teeth replacement options. This is however untrue. The dentist will perform the dental restoration procedure under local anesthetic, which means patients will not experience any pain during and after the procedure. Also, when the process is handled by a professional dentist, the risks are minimal and patients will get to discuss options to minimize pain during and after the treatment.
Teeth replacement is too expensive: It is reasonable to consider the cost of replacing a lost tooth. Most people would prefer to stay with a hole in their smiles than spend a lot of money on dental restoration. However, the process is not as expensive as people think. The dentist can provide patients with cost-effective and practical options to replace the tooth. Despite this, the cost of doing nothing is more so it is better to go through with the process.
Tooth replacements stand out between the teeth: Years ago, the materials used for replacing a missing tooth were not as natural-looking as those available now. Advancements in dentistry have provided dentists with materials that are customizable and blend in seamlessly with the rest of the smile.
Replacing a missing tooth is necessary because the consequences of leaving a hole in the smile are too serious to overlook, whether it be jawbone resorption and headaches to misaligned teeth and speech issues. Multiple dental studies have shown that losing only one tooth can cause the collapse of the bite and the loss of other teeth. It is advisable to visit a general dentist as soon as possible to discuss tooth replacement options.
Request an appointment here: https://www.yourdowntownmckinneydentist.com or call Sam Patel DDS, PA at (972) 638-5848 for an appointment in our McKinney office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Missing Tooth in McKinney, TX.
Missing teeth can cause damage to the adjacent teeth, as they’re no longer anchored in place by neighboring teeth. They also make it more difficult to chew food and make speaking more difficult, as the air has less support than it would with complete sets of teeth. It’s important to replace teeth with dental implants…
Patients can have a missing tooth for a number of reasons. Accidents, infection or decay can cause a tooth to become non-vital and may require it to be extracted. The way the tooth was lost does not matter as much as the need to replace it. Missing teeth can cause patients to feel self-conscious or…
It is essential to replace missing teeth the moment they fall out. Failing to do so can lead to serious health issues. Teeth serve an important function: They help people break down foods, pronounce certain words and their roots keep your jawbone tissue healthy.When some of a person's teeth are missing, there are changes that…
You might need an emergency dentist if you are dealing with an unexpected dental issue or injury that requires immediate treatment like a knocked-out tooth, unbearable toothache, or infected tooth. Waiting a couple of weeks for a dental appointment does not cut it in these situations.An emergency dentist can help you navigate around unforeseen dental…