Missing teeth, whether one or many, is a dental concern that can compromise your oral health and daily quality of life. Replacing lost teeth will stabilize your oral health, restore function, and give you back the confidence to enjoy life. Dr. Tu offers personalized, comprehensive care for the replacement of lost teeth. From dental bridges to implant dentures, Dr. Tu can work with you to evaluate your needs and determine the best possible solution for restoring a beautiful smile.
Why Replace Missing Teeth?
Missing teeth aren’t just a cosmetic problem. They have a big impact on your oral health and can affect your entire mouth. Many people think that a single missing tooth can’t have much of an effect, but, over time, it can lead to serious complications. We recommend replacing a missing tooth as soon as possible.
Once you lose a tooth root, the bone in the area immediately starts to deteriorate. The jawbone isn’t getting stimulation from chewing and biting whenever you eat. As your jawbone deteriorates, it doesn’t support the facial muscles in the area. This causes your face to sag, often aging your appearance by years.
The teeth surrounding the now open space will start to shift to make up for that gap. Your bite becomes misaligned, and you may experience things like crowding or big gaps between teeth. When your bite is misaligned, the jaw joint and remaining teeth get extra pressure. This can lead to issues with TMJ disorders, increased wear and tear on certain teeth, and cracks or breaks in your teeth.
Gaps left by missing teeth are prime areas for bacteria and food particles to gather. It’s hard to clean these areas effectively, irritating the gum tissue and leading to things like infection and decay.
Even a single tooth can make it harder to eat or speak. Each tooth in your mouth has a specific duty. The tongue interacts with the teeth to make sounds to form words. The different shapes and locations of your teeth also correspond to different ways to break down food. You may have to limit your diet because you can’t break down certain foods or speak with a lisp or impediment.
Missing teeth also impact your confidence and the way you act in public. You’re more likely to try to hide your smile and laugh less in public. Your face can take on a sunken appearance with jawbone deterioration. This can negatively impact your prospects in both social and professional relationships.
Tooth Replacement Options
Dr. Tu will thoroughly evaluate all aspects of your bite and dental health. Then, he will recommend a treatment option to meet your needs. The goal is to replace your missing teeth while also addressing and stabilizing any additional dental problems. This will help your new one last longer.
Our dentists will focus on your unique needs, helping you identify your long-term goals. We will provide you with the right dental care so that you can enjoy your best smile.
Dental bridge
A dental bridge is a fixed appliance that we can anchor to existing healthy teeth or dental implants. Dentists use dental bridges to replace one or several consecutive missing teeth.
Dentures
A full or partial denture can replace several missing teeth or a full arch of teeth. We can customize a set of dentures to blend in with your natural appearance. Today’s dentures are more comfortable and stable than those worn by previous generations. If you qualify, we can permanently secure the denture using dental implants for a stable and naturally functioning new smile.
Dental implants
The most natural tooth replacement option is a dental implant-secured restoration. This tooth replacement solution functions much like a natural tooth. It replaces the lost root and crown portion of the tooth to maintain your jaw structure.
Missing Teeth FAQs
Replacing missing teeth is essential to keeping your smile healthy. Learn more by reading the answers to these frequently asked questions below.
How can missing teeth affect my appearance?
Missing teeth can change your smile and may even cause your face to look older or sunken. Gaps in your teeth may make you feel self-conscious when smiling or talking. Over time, your lips and cheeks can sag if the jawbone shrinks. Replacing missing teeth helps you look and feel more confident.
Can missing teeth cause bone loss?
Yes, missing teeth can lead to bone loss in your jaw. When a tooth is gone, the jawbone underneath it starts to shrink because it’s no longer stimulated by chewing. This can change the shape of your face and make future dental work harder. Dental implants are a great option to help prevent bone loss.
How does a missing tooth affect my other teeth?
When a tooth is missing, nearby teeth can shift into the empty space. This movement can cause bite problems and make your teeth harder to clean. Over time, this can lead to more tooth loss and gum issues. Replacing the missing tooth helps keep your other teeth in the correct position.
How long can I wait to replace a missing tooth?
It’s best not to wait too long to replace a missing tooth. The longer you go without it, the more likely your other teeth will shift or your jawbone will shrink. Waiting can also make treatment more complex or expensive. Talk to us as soon as possible to plan the best solution.
Can one missing tooth really cause problems?
Yes, even just one missing tooth can affect your oral health and the alignment of your bite. The gap can lead to surrounding teeth moving or tipping over time. It can also make it harder to chew or clean your teeth well. Taking care of even one missing tooth can prevent bigger problems later.
Can missing teeth lead to other health issues?
Missing teeth can make it harder to chew healthy foods, affecting your nutrition. Poor chewing can also lead to digestive issues. Missing teeth can increase the risk of gum disease and jaw problems. Taking care of your mouth is important for your whole body’s health.
Schedule A Dental Exam & Missing Teeth Consultation
If you have missing teeth and would like to explore your tooth replacement options with Dr. Tu in our North Liberty dental office, contact us to schedule an appointment. We welcome new patients and can help you restore a smile that looks and feels great.
Have you been avoiding the dentist due to anxiety or fear? Would you like to restore your oral health and quality of life? We welcome you to visit our dental practice. We provide the compassionate dental care you need to get the help you need.