When you didn’t expect to lose a tooth, or thought you had saved it by previously restoring it, then tooth loss can be devastating. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be, and with the right custom dental prosthesis, you can mitigate many of the consequences of losing a tooth. Today, we answer a few important questions about tooth loss and its impact on our oral health, as well as how best to address your tooth loss in a way that successfully restores and preserves your smile.
What causes tooth loss to happen?
One of the bigger mysteries for some people is how, exactly, tooth loss occurs, especially for people who are diligent about caring for their smiles on a consistent basis. The truth is that tooth loss and its specific cause are different for everyone, though the most common instances occur from the results of severe periodontal disease (or gum disease). This involves the erosion of the tissues and jawbone structure that support your teeth, leading to their loss or need for extraction by the time you seek to restore your smile. Other causes of tooth loss can include the severe decaying of a tooth, extreme damage to its crown and/or root structure, and more.
Why is addressing it important?
For many people who experience tooth loss, the most obvious reason for replacing their lost tooth or teeth is to restore the healthy appearance of their smiles. Yet, the rest of your oral health also depends on you addressing tooth loss as soon as possible, and with the right dental restoration. Your remaining healthy, natural teeth and the oral structures that support them will react to your tooth loss in several ways that can lead to increased oral health risks in the future. That includes the diminishing of your bite’s ability to function, as well as the gradual loss of bone mass and density in your dental ridges.
What are the best solutions for tooth loss?
The only way to protect your smile from the ongoing effects of tooth loss is to replace your lost teeth as soon as possible, preferably with a dental implant-supported restoration. The visible portion of your restoration will be custom-designed to match the size, shape, contour, and appearance of your healthy, natural teeth. The dental implant posts that support the restoration will be designed to replicate the support teeth roots provide so your restoration can feel and function more like your healthy, natural teeth.
Get answers to your questions about tooth loss
Despite the fact that tooth loss can impact almost anyone, not everyone fully understands what it might mean for their oral health. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Creekside Family Dental Care in Columbia, TN, today at (931) 388–3384.