Losing one of your teeth can cause a range of difficulties when adjusting to the new gap in your smile. While the esthetic effect can be quite obvious, you will find previously simple activities hard to perform. Because you rely upon your teeth to articulate speech, you may find your voice altering when you speak. Losing a tooth can cause you to avoid certain favorite foods as you attempt to protect the sensitive socket that is now exposed. Because your bite relies upon each tooth to properly form, it can begin to misalign. As this happens, you become susceptible to developing cavities, gum disease, and tooth infections. Your teeth can even discolor as the enamel wears away from certain teeth taking on more force from your bite than before.
At your Ankeny, IA dental practice, we could help you preserve your smile and prevent the difficulties of tooth loss by placing a dental implant. This prosthetic solution secures within your jawbone to secure a lifelike tooth above your gums to complete your grin. You can enhance the function of your bite with a solution that can last a lifetime.
The Harms Of Losing A Tooth
Tooth decay, physical trauma, and gum disease can all threaten the stability of your smile. When one of these conditions causes you to lose a tooth, you may risk losing additional teeth if you do not act to treat the underlying cause of your tooth loss. If gum disease is the culprit, pursuing periodontal maintenance can help preserve your smile and save your remaining teeth. Because the gap in your grin can cause neighboring teeth to drift, you should seek a replacement to restore the strength that holds the rest of your smile in place.
Placing Your Dental Implant
To begin, we will take digital images of your mouth and jaw to determine if you are a candidate for receiving an implant. When placing the prosthetic, we insert a titanium post directly into your jawbone through the open socket. The biocompatible nature of your post allows oral tissues to fuse and secure it stably in your smile permanently. Over the following weeks, you will recover from your surgery, and after healing, we can attach a prosthetic above your gum line to complete your replacement tooth. We can design a dental crown that mimics your missing tooth and fits neatly with the rest of your natural teeth!
Speak With Your Ankeny, IA Dentist About Restoring Your Missing Teeth!
If you lose a tooth, seeking a replacement can help you prevent the harm from misaligning your bite! When properly cared for, modern implants can last a lifetime and return critical support to your jawbone. To learn more about receiving a replacement tooth, schedule an appointment with your Ankeny, IA dentist at (515)207-6182.
