The thought of losing teeth, if you haven’t already, can seem daunting, and in some cases, perhaps depressing. The good news is that modern restorative dentistry can rebuild your smile as good as new, sometimes better, despite how many teeth you lose. While we prefer to help you preserve your healthy natural teeth through good hygiene and expert dental care, we also know that tooth loss isn’t always as preventable as it should be. Therefore, we offer a number of options for replacing lost teeth, and can help you feel more at ease by answering your questions and thoroughly explaining how your replacement teeth will improve your quality of life.
Does everybody lose teeth as they age?
The majority of older adults that you know may have lost one or more teeth, or might rely on one or a set of dentures to maintain their smiles, as well as their bites’ functions. Although it happens often, tooth loss isn’t an inevitable part of aging, like graying or thinning hair may be. With adequate dental hygiene and routine dental care, you can prevent (or manage) the issues that lead to tooth loss, like extreme tooth decay and gum disease.
What happens if I choose not to replace a lost tooth?
Foregoing a replacement tooth is certainly an option, but choosing it will allow the destruction that follows tooth loss to continue undermining the rest of your oral health. The loss of even one tooth can cause your jawbone to lose some its allotted nutrient supply, causing the bone to lose density and its ability to retain all of your teeth. Also, the teeth around the gap can shift towards the open space, leading to tooth misalignment, dental damage, TMJ disorder (a jaw joint disorder), and more.
Would I be a candidate for dental implants?
Dental implants are small, root-shaped dental prostheses that are surgically inserted to replace the roots of your lost teeth. Once your jawbone heals, abutments can be attached to the implants to support a dental crown, bridge, or denture, depending on how many teeth you’ve lost. Most adult older teen and adult patients can receive dental implants, as long as not dental issues are present and the jawbone is still substantial enough to support the posts.
To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling (203) 878-6699. The specialists at Sensitive Care Cosmetic & Family Dentistry proudly serve patients and their families in Milford, Stratford, West Haven, New Haven, and all surrounding communities.