Missing teeth can be a source of embarrassment and discomfort for many of our patients. In addition to the cosmetic concerns, there are many health reasons why you should replace your missing teeth. The negative impact of missing teeth on your health and oral health can be significant. Fortunately, Dr. Rawley Fuller offers several treatments for missing teeth in Leland, NC, including dental bridges, dentures, and dental implants. We also provide treatment for additional common dental concerns.
Why Should I Replace my Missing Teeth?
Replacing a missing tooth is essential for both your oral health and your overall well-being. When a tooth is lost, the impact goes far beyond appearance. It can interfere with how you eat and speak, as well as the long-term health of your mouth.
Preventing Additional Dental Issues
One of the main reasons to replace a missing tooth is to prevent other problems from developing. When a gap is left unfilled, the neighboring teeth can drift out of position. This shifting can throw off your bite, leading to jaw discomfort, uneven tooth wear, and a higher risk of decay or damage. Over time, these changes can weaken your remaining teeth and create ongoing issues.
Your jawbone can also start to shrink when it no longer has a tooth root stimulating it. The bone needs steady pressure from chewing to stay strong. Without it, the bone may break down, which can affect the stability of nearby teeth and even change the shape of your face. Replacing the tooth helps maintain healthy bone and supports the structure of your smile.
Restoring Comfortable Eating
Losing a tooth can make chewing much more difficult. Many people start avoiding foods that are tough to bite or chew, which can impact overall nutrition. Everyday foods like apples, steak, or even sandwiches can become uncomfortable challenges. Replacing the missing tooth allows you to chew efficiently again and enjoy a broader range of foods without pain or frustration.
Regaining proper chewing ability also supports healthy digestion, since breaking down food thoroughly is the first step in the digestive process.
Enhancing Your Confidence
A missing tooth can change the look of your smile, which may affect how you feel about yourself. You might become hesitant to smile, laugh, or speak because you’re worried about how your teeth appear. This can influence your confidence in both social and professional settings.
Replacing the tooth, whether with an implant, bridge, or denture, helps restore the look of your smile. When you feel confident about your teeth, you’re more likely to smile comfortably, engage with others, and enjoy the boost in self-esteem that comes with a complete, healthy smile.
Improving Speech Clarity
Teeth play an important role in forming certain sounds. Missing teeth, especially in the front, can make it harder to pronounce words clearly, which may affect everyday communication. Sounds like “s” and “th” often require contact between the tongue and teeth to be spoken correctly.
Replacing the missing tooth helps restore your natural speech patterns, making conversations smoother and more comfortable, whether you’re talking with friends, family, or colleagues.
Missing Teeth Replacement Options
There are several treatment options available for people who are missing teeth. The most common treatment options include dental bridges, dentures, and dental implants.
Dental bridges
A dental bridge is a fixed appliance that is used to replace one or more missing teeth. The bridge is anchored in place by using the surrounding teeth as support. The replacement tooth or teeth are attached to the bridge. This entire fixture is then cemented in place. To learn more about the dental bridge process, visit Dental Bridge.
Dentures
Dentures are removable appliances that are used to replace one or more missing teeth. Dentures can be made from a variety of materials, including acrylic resin, porcelain, and metal alloys. There are two types of dentures: partial dentures and complete dentures. Partial dentures are used when a person is missing one or more teeth, but still has some natural teeth remaining. Complete dentures are used when a person is missing all of their teeth. To learn more about partial dentures and complete dentures, visit Partials and Dentures.
Dental implants
Dental implants are a more permanent solution for missing teeth. A dental implant is a small, titanium post that is surgically implanted into the jawbone. The implant acts as a replacement for the root of the missing tooth. Once the implant has been placed, a dental restoration is attached to the top of the implant. Dental implants are a popular choice because they are durable, long-lasting, and look and feel like natural teeth. To learn more about the benefits of dental implants, visit Dental Implants.
Replace Your Missing Teeth Today
Missing teeth can have a negative impact on your health. It is important that you replace them as soon as possible to avoid the many problems tooth loss causes.
To learn more about your missing teeth options and which one is best for you, call 910-519-1624 or request an appointment at Waterford Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Leland, NC. Dr. Rawley Fuller will examine your mouth and review your medical history to determine which solution is best for you. He offers dental bridges, dentures, and dental implants to help patients who suffer from tooth loss.