The Effects of Tooth Loss
 At Water's Edge Dental here in Boise, we endeavor to set our dental practice apart by delivering exceptional clinical expertise, unparalleled patient service, cutting-edge dental technology, and top-tier materials and equipment. Our dentists actively encourage patient involvement in decisions related to their treatment, be it preventive, restorative, or cosmetic dentistry. We offer a warm, friendly, and relaxed atmosphere. One of the issues we commonly address is that of tooth loss.What Causes Tooth Loss?Tooth loss can occur for several reasons, including poor dental hygiene, damaged or decayed teeth, injury or accident, disease, trauma, or gum disease. While some may think that losing teeth isn't a big deal, especially if it's just one, this couldn't be further from the truth. What Are the Effects of Tooth Loss?Missing teeth can cause a host of problems: • Difficulty Chewing: Missing even a single tooth can alter the way you bite down and chew your food. This may cause you to overcompensate and chew more so on the other side of your mouth. • Jawbone Loss: Jawbone loss is probably one of the biggest problems that accompanies tooth loss. Biting down and chewing, as we do with our teeth, stimulates the jawbone. When we are missing teeth, even a single tooth, the jawbone is no longer receiving that stimulation. The jawbone quickly starts to degenerate. This weakens the jawbone, and if you wear dentures or have any restorations such as bridges, they will become loose and not fit properly. • Shifting Teeth: Unfortunately if we have missing teeth, that does not mean they fall into perfect alignment. Contrary to that happening, teeth can crowd into others, making them harder to brush. This leads to difficulty in brushing and flossing between these teeth, which can cause an increase in plaque and tartar build up, and even the development of gum disease. What Can I Do to Replace My Missing Teeth?There are several options available to replace missing teeth and avoid the negative results that come with tooth loss. Dental ImplantsDental implants are the most popular choice for replacing missing teeth today. They provide a permanent and natural-looking solution for your missing teeth. Dental implants are posts that are surgically placed into your jawbone. A connector, or abutment piece, will be placed on top of the implant post, and lastly a dental crown will be attached on top to pose as your missing tooth. Dental BridgesIf you have a gap in your teeth a dental bridge can help. Anchored by your existing healthy teeth on either side, a pontic (artificial tooth) is placed in the middle to fill the gap. A dental bridge can last several years before needing replacement. Dental bridges are removable. DenturesIf you're missing several or all of your teeth, dentures are still a viable option. These removable oral prosthetics can replace an entire row of teeth, returning function and aesthetics to your mouth. Let Our Dentists Restore Your Smile at Water's Edge DentalSchedule your appointment with us at (208) 391-8554 to reverse the effects of tooth loss today! |
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