What Can I Do About Missing Teeth?
Whether you're missing a single molar, a front tooth, or you have several empty spots throughout your gum line, having missing teeth is never something you should ignore. Not only does an incomplete smile make it more difficult to eat and speak properly, but those empty pockets are susceptible to bacterial buildup that can lead to serious health issues.
While it would be ideal for teeth to grow back, unfortunately, the human body simply doesn't function that way. Fortunately, there are several viable solutions to replace missing teeth, restore your smile, and maintain your oral and overall health.
Why You Should Care About Missing Teeth
Difficulty Chewing
Your teeth play a huge part in helping you chew properly. Without a full set of teeth, you may find it difficult or even impossible to chew certain foods. Not only does this put you at a greater risk for choking but you could also be missing out on essential nutrients if you’re avoiding certain foods entirely.
Difficulty Speaking
In order to form certain sounds when speaking, your tongue needs to be able to position itself properly against your teeth. If you have teeth missing where your tongue needs to be, you will likely find it difficult to form these words.
Bacteria Growth
Without a tooth in place to protect your gums, bacteria can begin growing in the empty space. If left unaddressed, you could develop gum disease that will require more serious treatment. The resulting bacteria growth also has the potential to travel to other parts of your body and contribute to serious chronic illnesses such as heart disease or diabetes.
Options for Tooth Replacement
Removable Partial Dentures
With removable partial dentures, replacement teeth are attached to a gum-colored plastic base, with a framework and clasps or precision attachments that fix the denture into place.
Some advantages to this treatment include:
More cost-effective than alternative treatments
Do not require oral surgery
Some disadvantages to this treatment include:
May look slightly less natural than other treatments
The bone underneath your dentures may weaken over time
Full Arch Dentures
If you need to replace a full set of teeth on either your upper or lower jaw (or both) full arch dentures provide a viable solution. Since full arch dentures come in a variety of forms, they provide flexible options for restoring your smile.
Some advantages to this treatment include:
Cost-effective alternatives for replacing a full set of teeth
Allow you to speak and eat naturally and normally
Some disadvantages to this treatment include:
Some full-arch dentures may feel as though they fall out of place
Need to be taken out each night and cleaned thoroughly
Dental Implants
The most secure of all the tooth replacement options, dental implants are ideal for patients who are missing teeth due to decay or extractions. This treatment involves fusing metal posts into your jaw bone below your gums and mounting new teeth onto the posts once they are healed.
Some benefits of this treatment include:
Last a lifetime when maintained properly
Look and feel like natural teeth
Securely in place to avoid discomfort
No need to alter nearby teeth to support the implant
Some disadvantages to this treatment include:
Requires enough solid jaw bone to install implants
Requires oral surgery
Can be costly
Restore Your Smile in Spring Hill
If you’re missing teeth, don’t ignore the issue. At Dentistry By Design, we offer a complete range of dental services. We have been serving patients across the Spring Hill area for over 20 years, and Dr. Robinette is known for his skill and passion for promoting healthy, happy smiles
Contact us today to schedule a consultation to determine which restorative treatment is right for you!