Missing teeth can affect your confidence, oral health, and systemic health. Missing teeth are a complex dental health concern that you should address as soon after a loss as possible. Fuller Dental of Burlington, NC, offers solutions for replacing missing teeth.
Did you know that gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss?
Maintaining oral health throughout your life is essential for protecting the integrity and structure of your smile. Gum disease is a mostly preventable disease that is a leading cause of tooth loss. Gum disease commonly goes undiagnosed until it has already begun to take a toll on patients’ oral health.
Disease-causing bacteria create inflammation of the gums. Over time the gums begin to pull away from the teeth. They can become loose, shift, and eventually fall out due to a lack of bone retention.
To prevent tooth loss associated with gum disease, visit Fuller Dental at least twice a year. Biannual dental health exams allow for early intervention and conservative gum disease treatment.
Professional teeth cleanings and good oral hygiene between visits can keep the gums and teeth clean and healthy. This will reduce your risk of tooth loss and the need for complex dental treatments, such as dental implants.
Replacing Missing Teeth
Our Fuller Dental dental care team provides restorative treatment options for replacing missing teeth. We can help patients rebuild their smiles from traditional dentures to dental implants. Replacing missing teeth can prevent additional tooth loss and help to secure the structure of the bite and face.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is the most natural way to replace a single missing tooth. The dentist will surgically implant a small titanium screw into the jawbone. Once the implant fuses with the bone, we will use an abutment to attach a dental crown. The dental implant looks and functions like a natural tooth.
Dentures
Dentists use dentures to replace a full arch or set of missing teeth. Modern dentures are high-quality dental porcelain designed to look like natural teeth. We can also permanently place dentures with dental implants.
Dental Bridge
A dental bridge commonly replaces a single missing tooth or several consecutive missing teeth. Your dentist will remove a substantial amount of tooth enamel from adjacent teeth. These teeth will be used to anchor the dental bridge in place. We can also place a dental bridge with dental implants. Using implants will allow your healthy teeth to remain intact.
Missing Teeth FAQs
Missing teeth can impact your oral health in many ways. Learn more by reading the answers to these commonly asked questions.
Is it okay to live with a missing tooth?
Even one missing tooth can have a big impact on your oral health. Even if it isn’t in an area of your smile that makes you self-conscious, it still impacts your bite. No matter where the missing tooth is, the jawbone starts to deteriorate as soon as the tooth root is gone. It negatively impacts speaking and eating, and you’re at increased risk of losing more teeth.
Is it hard to eat with missing teeth?
Each of our teeth has specific uses when breaking down food. No matter where you lose a tooth in your mouth, it’ll impact your ability to chew and bite. You may have to eliminate certain foods from your diet because you can no longer break them down enough. Cooked meats and fibrous vegetables are two of the most difficult things to chew with missing teeth.
How long can I go before replacing a missing tooth?
We recommend you replace your tooth as soon as possible to avoid your remaining teeth shifting. However, if you have a tooth extracted, we advise you to wait four to six months before replacing the tooth. We need to give the tissue there time to heal before we can place a restoration.
Is a missing tooth considered a disability?
No, losing teeth isn’t a rateable disability. A missing tooth can easily be replaced by some sort of false tooth restoration. Losing teeth due to natural aging is a normal cause of life. Missing teeth lost to trauma or injury may be considered differently.
Is missing teeth a turn-off?
92% of people say mouth-related issues like missing or crooked teeth and bad breath are huge turn-offs for them when dating. Smiles are incredibly important to people when they determine who they find attractive. People will turn down dates because of things like missing teeth.
Can missing teeth impact my brain?
Studies show that they may actually be linked. Tooth loss contributes to loss of memory. When you chew, the movement of your teeth stimulates the hippocampus region in the brain, which is involved in memory. When you’re missing teeth, fewer of these signals are being sent.
Request A Dental Exam Today
Fuller Dental offers individualized dental care for your dental health concerns. Our dental care team helps to restore your smile by addressing dental concerns from common to complex. Our dental care team can help you enjoy a more beautiful, healthy smile.
If you are looking for a compassionate, highly trained, and experienced dental health care team in the Burlington, NC region, contact Fuller Dental at (336) 290-7401, or request an appointment online.