Don’t Ignore the Loss of a Tooth – Replace it ASAP!
If you’re like some people who lose a tooth, you might be tempted to simply take the path of least resistance and ignore the problem. After all, you have plenty of other teeth in your mouth, so what harm could it do to try to get by with one less? Surely, it couldn’t do any harm, right? Wrong! Even setting aside the aesthetic reasons for maintaining a full set of teeth, there are many other reasons why you should make a dental appointment and get that lost tooth replaced as soon as you can.
Each Tooth Is Important
It might not sometimes seem like it, but the fact is that each of your teeth has a role within your mouth. Your teeth all serve to keep other teeth in their proper alignment. While each tooth is in its place, your entire dental structure has an easier time remaining intact. The problem with loosing teeth is that the teeth closest to those gaps tend to wander over to fill the space as time goes by. That can cause massive realignment of your teeth.
As you might expect, that realignment comes at a cost. When your teeth realign like that, it can weaken the overall dental structure and leave them all vulnerable to injury. It can also impair function, and even cause problems with the roots below the gums – the same roots that help your jawbone to preserve its integrity and form. The bottom line is simple: your decision to ignore a missing tooth can be a recipe for disaster!
Replacement Options
As dental knowledge and technology has expanded over the years, a variety of replacement options have been developed for patients who have suffered the loss of a tooth. These include wonderful tooth replacements like dentures and implants. Dentures can be either fixed or removable, and have the advantage of being less expensive than the costlier implant procedures. However, dentures have some drawbacks as well – most notably that they are more susceptible to tooth decay than implants, and can damage nearby teeth and the jawbone.
As a result, dental implants have really become the top choice for many who need tooth replacements. Implants are anchored to the jawbone, look and feel like real teeth, and do not damage the adjacent teeth when they are put into place. They consist of a tooth root implant that then has a crown attached to it. Implants are more expensive than other replacement options and often necessitate a period of healing after the surgery and before the crown can be attached.
In the end, the option you choose will depend on a variety of factors, including your budget. Sometimes, however, it can be difficult to decide which option is best for you. At Ebenezer Dental, we can help you examine all of your tooth replacement options and make the best choice for your dental health and lifestyle needs. Contact us today to find out how the best dentist in Midtown Manhattan can help you with your efforts to get that missing tooth replaced the right way.