Don’t Enter 2020 With Gaps in Your Smile
November 27, 2019
Do you have one or more missing teeth? As we will explain in today’s blog, missing teeth can lead to serious complications for your smile’s health and beauty. In order to replace the lost teeth and address the gaps in your smile, your Kansas City, MO, dentist may recommend a custom-made and lifelike dental bridge.
The Risks of Tooth Loss
Tooth loss is far from just a cosmetic concern. Losing teeth could lead to misalignment, as surrounding teeth may drift from position and upset alignment and balance. This alone is linked to higher risks of tooth decay and gum disease, as cleaning your teeth daily becomes more difficult. Losing teeth also impacts our ability to eat and speak clearly, and can lead to embarrassment regarding our appearance. In addition, once the body notices the missing tooth roots, it no longer sends doses of calcium and phosphorus to the jawbone, depriving the bone tissue of essential nutrients and causing it to break down, which could lead to further tooth loss and an aged appearance.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge can address this gap in your smile. We start by removing structure from the natural teeth on either side of the gap in your smile. We then take detailed impressions and use the information and measurements to design a prosthetic. The bridge consists of the new teeth with crowns attached to each side. We place the crowns on the prepared teeth, securing the new ones firmly in place. We design and craft them using strong and lifelike materials, so your new teeth blend with the smile. A bridge can last between 10 and 15 years on average, and routine brushing and flossing can help ensure they last longer and don’t fall victim to gum disease or other oral health concerns.
Implant-Supported Prosthetics
Instead of using crowns, we could also support them with dental implants. We insert the dental implants into the jawbone, where they act as new tooth roots. This stimulates the growth of bone tissue, preventing the loss of density that causes an older appearance and further tooth loss. Since the crowns on the prosthetic will be attached to the dental implants, we don’t need to remove structure from healthy teeth. This option also lasts much longer than 10 to 15 years, and could potentially last a lifetime with proper care and attention. If you have any questions about addressing tooth loss, then please contact our team today to learn more.
Do You Have Questions About Implant Dentistry?
We would like to help you enjoy optimal oral health by addressing minor and severe cases of tooth loss. To learn more about our approach to prosthetic dentistry, then please schedule a consultation by calling Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.