If you suffer from the loss of a tooth, or a few in a row, then you need to seek treatment right away. Even minor tooth loss could mean trouble for your oral health, and we want to protect you from the complications of missing teeth. In today’s blog, Sunny Smiles discusses how we address missing teeth with dental bridges, dental implants, and more.
The Factors Behind Your Lost Tooth
A tooth (or teeth) could be lost due to a number of different factors. For example, untreated cavities could cause a tooth to become lost, as could a serious infection or abscess. Missing teeth could be due to an injury as well. But the most common cause is periodontitis, the advanced stage of gum disease. Whether your tooth loss is minor or advanced, this could mean difficulty eating a variety of foods, issues soaking clearly, and even an aged appearance as the body stops sending calcium and phosphates to the jaw around the missing roots, causing the bone tissue to break down. But with dental implants and implant-supported prosthetics, we can help!
Dental Implants
Dental implants are small screw-like posts made from titanium, which the body accepts as natural bone structure. We insert these into the jaw, where they bond through a process known as osseointegration, keeping them in place for decades to come, possibly even a lifetime. They can address a single missing tooth, in which we attach an abutment and crown to the post, or even secure a prosthetic.
Bridges
A dental implant bridge can replace between two and four missing teeth in a row, providing a prosthetic that lasts far longer than traditional tooth replacement options. The prosthetic will contain the new teeth, with crowns on either end. We then connect the crowns to the posts inserted into your jaw.
Dentures
If you have severe tooth loss, we could use multiple posts to support a full or partial denture. The prosthetic will never slip when you eat or speak, and you don’t have to take it out for cleaning or soaking. Again, they can last decades as opposed to removable dentures, which only last about five years on average.
If you have any questions about how we support new teeth or prosthetics with dental implants, or about taking on your own tooth loss, then context our team today to learn more.
SPEAK WITH YOUR DENTIST AT SUNNY SMILES ABOUT ADDRESSING TOOTH LOSS
When you suffer from the loss of a tooth, we can help protect and preserve your smile with a dental prosthetic. If you would like to learn more about our practice or plan your next visit, please call our Sunny Smiles location on N Zaragoza Rd in El Paso, TX at (915) 849-9000.