If you have recently lost one of your teeth, you understand the frustrations that come with adjusting to your new bite. While the esthetic effect on your smile stands out, a missing tooth can quickly impact your daily life in other ways as well. You can find articulating speech more difficult as you navigate your tongue and lips around your open gap. You must now alter your diet to avoid certain hard and sharp foods that previously caused no pain. Because your bite relies upon your set of teeth to operate properly, your remaining teeth must take on additional force to compensate for your missing tooth. If the neighboring teeth cannot handle this pressure, it can eventually wear them down, exposing the inner material. This loss of enamel can increase your likelihood of decay and gum disease. Because gum disease is the number one cause of losing teeth in adults, failing to treat your first loss can lead to more in the future.
At your Ankeny, IA dental practice, we can help you regain your full bite with a custom prosthetic. By taking careful measurements of your mouth and surrounding teeth, we can fashion a dental implant that mimics the appearance and function of a real tooth. When you take the time to learn the benefits of this lifelike solution, you can select a replacement tooth that returns your confidence by stabilizing your bite.
The Impact Of A Missing Tooth
When tooth decay, gum disease, or physical injury takes one of your teeth, your oral health can suffer without prompt treatment. Neighboring teeth can begin to shift into the open gap without the sturdy support of your missing tooth. As your remaining teeth move, your bite comes even further out of alignment, leading to common oral health problems. By seeking a prosthetic solution and getting any gum disease under control, you can take control of your health once again!
Receiving A Dental Implant
When you visit our practice, we can evaluate your mouth to see if you are a candidate for a dental implant. This treatment inserts a titanium post directly into your jawbone to mimic the function of your tooth’s root. The biocompatible nature of your post allows your oral tissues to fuse and hold it sturdy for the rest of your life. After healing from your procedure, we can place a dental crown above your gum line to complete your restoration. Simply continue practicing proper oral hygiene to care for your new tooth.
Talk To Your Ankeny, IA Dentist About Replacing Your Missing Teeth!
Replacing your lost tooth is critical to helping you maintain a proper bite and prevent additional loss! Prosthetics can return your smile’s appearance while providing vital functional ability. To learn more about receiving a replacement tooth, schedule an appointment with your Ankeny, IA dentist at (515) 207-6182.