Although having a missing tooth may not entirely disrupt your daily life or routines, it can compromise your quality of life. It may cause embarrassment when showing off your smile, especially when what you’ve lost is your front tooth. This can then negatively affect other people’s impression of you, holding you back in many aspects of life.
Gaps may be the main issue with missing tooth, but it can also lower your self-esteem and make you self-conscious when talking or laughing in public. If your tooth loss is making you feel like disadvantaged when pursuing something, it is only important to explore your options for restoring not only the appearance of your teeth, but also their function.
The common and affordable options
Conventional (removable) dentures are the first thing that comes to mind when replacing lost or missing teeth. This is mainly because of their affordability compared to other replacement solutions. They also have a simple and easy fitting process, which means that you can restore your smile and confidence in no time. The sad part is, they can be uncomfortable and less stable and require more replacement than other options
Dental bridges are another replacement option, which fills in the gaps where one or more teeth are missing. These can be fixed or removable and can be made out of metal, ceramics, or a combination. Bridges may look like your natural teeth, but they can also affect or compromise the adjacent teeth, as they require support to hold the artificial tooth in place.
The next best thing
Dental implants may be more expensive than conventional dentures and bridges, but they are made to look, feel, and function like your original teeth. They are also more stable and secure, as they have an artificial tooth root that is surgically implanted into your jawbone. Scottsdale, AZ dental implant centers note that this means that the replacement teeth will not shift when smiling, laughing, or talking.
The best part is, the artificial tooth root integrates with or becomes a part of your jawbone over time. You can turn to implants to replace one or several missing teeth, as there are implant-supported dentures that provide a stable base support for artificial teeth. The stability of implants makes them better than removable dentures or bridges.
You need to do something
You may be able to convince yourself that it okay to have a few missing teeth, but do take note that ignoring the problem can lead to a number of other dental problems. Your neighboring teeth may shift or move into the empty space, which can then create more gaps between your teeth. This can also throw off your teeth’s alignment, increasing the risk of having crooked teeth.
When your teeth become misaligned, you may need to get an orthodontic treatment to have them straightened. The spaces between your teeth, furthermore, can raise your risk of plaque accumulation and gum disease, as crooked teeth are more difficult to clean. This only makes it important to replace any lost tooth to restore not just your smile, but also your oral health.
Stop missing teeth from holding you back. Consult an implant dentist to learn more about tooth replacement options that can bring back your confidence and improve your quality of life.
