When you lose a tooth, you can quickly realize just how much its absence is going to affect you. In addition to changing how others perceive you, a gap in your smile can make it difficult for you to bite and chew without some discomfort. Over time, being forced to change your bite function can lead to more wear and tear affecting your remaining teeth, and it can lead to pain and sensitivity due to problems with your jaw alignment. At our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office, we can speak with you about providing prosthetic dental work that can do more than just address problems you have with your appearance. A permanent dental bridge, or a dental restoration held by an implant, can also give you more support when you bite and chew, leading to a restored dental function that benefits your quality of life.
Why Treatment For Tooth Loss Should Be A Priority
How long should you wait before making plans to restore your incomplete smile? The longer you put off treatment, the more this problem can impact your quality of life. Over time, your inability to bite and chew in a way that feels natural will lead to tension that hurts your jaw joints and muscles. In addition to causing discomfort and limiting your jaw movement, this can make you more likely to pick up a harmful teeth grinding habit. You also have to worry about the way your compromised bite affects your remaining teeth. The teeth surrounding a gap are more likely to be lost because they no longer have the support of their neighbor, and the increased friction on remaining teeth can lead to more noticeable changes in their appearance.
Different Treatment Options That Are Available To Patients
You can discuss the benefits of a dental bridge to restore your smile, or you can find out about the advantages of having a dental implant placed to hold a prosthetic tooth. With an implant, you can support your jawbone health, have more support for neighboring teeth, and have a permanent appliance put in place without having to perform work on neighboring teeth. A dental bridge can be placed without the need for oral surgery, as the appliance stays in position thanks to a pair of crowns at either side of the restoration. As you look into your treatment options, you and your dentist can discuss which approach benefits you the most.
Maintaining A Healthy Smile After Restorative Work Is Complete
Having your smile restored will allow you to bite, chew, and speak in a way that feels natural. Once this work is complete, you should take care to keep your smile as healthy as possible. At regular dental exams, we can check on the condition of a prosthetic, make sure it is still providing adequate support, and also check on the health of your remaining teeth. Through prosthetic work followed by smart preventive care, you can move past problems with tooth loss!
Talk To Your Ankeny, IA Dentist’s Office About Replacing A Lost Tooth
If you have lost even one tooth, you can experience frustrating problems with your appearance as well as your bite function. To find out how these issues can be addressed, contact Dental Impressions at (515) 965-0230.
