MANY ADULTS will lose a tooth or have one pulled at some point in time. While losing a tooth can be a less-than-desirable experience, you and your dentist still have work to do. If you have missing teeth, the sooner you get them replaced, the better.
THE ADVANTAGES OF TOOTH REPLACEMENT
Having a tooth or teeth replaced does mean more time in the dentist chair, but it is well worth it in the long run. For most people, having a complete smile is an important benefit. Many are self-conscious about the blank spaces created by missing teeth, so having a full set of pearly whites can be a great boost to your appearance and self-confidence.
Furthermore, replacing missing teeth is also good for your health in many ways. When you have missing teeth, your other teeth will shift. Tooth shifting means that your upper and lower teeth no longer match up, causing strain and damage to your jaw joint, called TMJ Syndrome. Tooth loss can also increase gum disease and periodontal disease, which makes further tooth loss more likely. Additionally, your jaw bone starts to deteriorate when teeth are missing, which can cause changes in your facial shape and lead to more tooth loss.
REPLACEMENT OPTIONS
Your dentist can discuss all your options for tooth replacement, such as partials, bridges, dentures, and implants. Even if your missing teeth were lost a while ago, your dentist can still offer you an array of realistic replacements to improve your appearance and health.
Word of Mouth is sponsored by Midtown Dental.
CREDIT
column by William Nerestant, DDS
BIO: Dr. William Nerestant received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of Detroit/Mercy School of Dentistry in Michigan. After serving and being recognized for his meritorious service in the Air Force as an officer in the Dental Corps, he currently serves patients at Midtown Dental in Lakeland. For more information, visit www.mymidtowndental.com or call (863) 226-0987.