When you lose a tooth, or if you lose several teeth, this means that the health, function, and appearance of your smile suffers, both in the short and long-term. Which is why we want you to see us right away for replacement with dental implants! In today’s blog, your Shrewsbury, MA, dentist talks about the dangers of your missing teeth.
The Causes and Risks of Tooth Loss
How do we lose a natural tooth (or teeth)? You could suffer from tooth loss due to an advanced cavity or infection, which could mean a tooth falls out or requires extraction to prevent the spread of infection. You could lose a tooth to an injury as well. In most cases, this is due to periodontitis, the advanced stage of gum disease.
When you lose teeth, this means you could develop issues eating or even speaking clearly. Misalignment could occur, a could complications like TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). You could feel embarrassed about your appearance too, which impacts your social life. The body will also stop sending regular doses of key nutrients to the jawbone, and without them, the bone break down to cause further tooth loss and an older appearance. But fortunately, we can help preserve your smile with implant dentistry.
Dental Implants
Our team will examine your smile to assess the cause and extent of your tooth loss. We may need to manage underlying issues like periodontal disease to ensure the success of your new teeth. Our team will look closely at the jawbone to choose the best angles, positions, and depths to support your new teeth. For some, we may need to conduct grafting or a sinus lift to ensure there is enough structure to support your new teeth.
We then surgically insert the dental implant into the jaw. This biocompatible titanium post will act like a new root. The body will accept it as such, and this prevents further loss of mass and density in your jaw. We then complete your new teeth with a crown, or we could use several posts to support a bridge or even a complete set of new teeth.
If you have any questions about how our team will diagnose and treat your tooth loss, or about implant dentistry, then contact our office today to learn more. We want to help you enjoy a full smile again, with new teeth that look and function like natural ones.
Learn More About Replacing Your Missing Teeth
We want to help you enjoy a complete smile with our dental implants. For more information about addressing the gaps in your smile, or to schedule your next visit with our office, call Modern Dentistry of Shrewsbury in Shrewsbury, MA at (508) 842-8838 today.
