So, you are missing a few teeth? No big deal, right? Do not fool yourself! There are plenty of issues that come with missing teeth. Loss of confidence in an open smile, inability to chew food, and so much more.
Beyond these though, there are also adverse health effects of missing teeth. In fact, you may be surprised to hear about all the problems and risk factors associated with being someone who has missing teeth in Prairieville, LA.
What Happens When We Are Missing Teeth?
From gum disease to infection, there are several reasons to consider replacing missing teeth rather than taking a laid-back approach.
Gum Disease:
In many cases, the gums where the tooth used to be will get infected which will cause inflammation. This is known as gingivitis, commonly referred to as gum disease. Gingivitis can cause your gums to bleed when flossing, changes in your bite line, pain when chewing, pus formation between the gums and teeth, and other symptoms.
This, of course, makes day-to-day life more difficult as the pain from chewing causes great amounts of anxiety about eating and can cause other teeth to loosen or fall out.
Jaw Bone Weakness and Loss:
Another problem that may occur is weakness in the jaw and other teeth. Other teeth surrounding the missing one have to work harder to chew due to the lack of teeth and can cause jaw pain and weakness.
TMJ Disorder:
In some cases, missing teeth can lead to the development or worsening of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD). Your TMJ attaches your lower jawbone to the rest of your skull and when it is being worked on one side more heavily, it can cause disorders to form which will result in pain when chewing and many other issues.
Options to Resolve the Problem of Missing Teeth in Prairieville, LA
There are numerous ways to restore missing teeth back to a natural, healthy appearance.
Dental bridges:
Dental bridges are devices that replace the look of a missing tooth. A prosthetic tooth is supported by dental crowns on either side. Though the prosthetic tooth does not stimulate the bone, it completes your row of teeth. This allows you to speak and eat with confidence.
Single dental implants:
Dental implants are the most long-lasting way to replace your missing teeth in Prairieville, LA. A single implant is surgically placed in your jaw. The implant acts just like a tooth root, giving the bone something to fuse with. The top of the implant is fitted with a tooth-colored and tooth-shaped prosthetic that matches the rest of your teeth in shade and size. Single dental implants can last a lifetime.
Multiple dental implants:
What if there are many missing teeth in your mouth? An oral surgeon can place multiple dental implants to fill in each gap. This enables you to restore your smile completely.
Full mouth dental implants:
Maybe you have a full arch of missing teeth. In that case, a more pragmatic and cost-effective alternative to removable dentures is to choose full mouth dental implants. Full mouth dental implants include a few precisely placed implants and a fixed prosthetic device custom-made for each patient. Many people are surprised at how quickly they adjust to their full mouth dental implants, not to mention how comfortable they are after a couple of weeks.
Not Sure Which Treatment Is Best Suited For Your Needs? An oral surgeon can look over your images and make recommendations. Ultimately, you can stop worrying about the “What ifs…?” and start loving your image in the mirror again.
Fill Those Gaps and Fix Your Missing Teeth
To avoid common diseases that are caused by the loss of one tooth or several teeth, schedule an appointment at our comfortable, modern office in Prairieville, LA.
With years of experience in supporting those like you, our doctors, Drs. R. Leo Regan, Michael Casadaban, David Bulot, Steven Nelson, and Kit Kiebach will work with you to find the best treatment option to fit your unique situation.
We look forward to helping you say hello to a smile transformation!
