If you have lost a tooth, you might be debating whether or not to have it replaced. Fortunately, today you have many options, including having a tooth implant treatment to provide a natural replacement for even a single tooth. There are many compelling reasons why you should have your tooth replaced, some of which can affect your long-term dental health.
Long-Term Results of a Missing Tooth
Even having only one missing tooth can profoundly affect the positioning, effectiveness, and lifespan of your remaining teeth. When a tooth is missing, the remaining teeth shift and move to fill the empty space. This can cause minor or severe misalignment, which can lead to a variety of problems including:
• Spaces between the teeth
• Crooked teeth
• Misaligned bite
• Premature wear
• Temporomandibular joint disorder
Replacing your missing tooth with a tooth implant can prevent all of these problems, keeping your teeth properly aligned in the long term.
How Dental Implants Work
Dental implants can replace one tooth or many teeth, depending upon your individual needs. Unlike bridges, a single tooth can be replaced with an implant without restructuring any of the adjacent teeth. First, an artificial root made of titanium is placed in the jawbone. Titanium naturally bonds with bone, allowing it to stimulate growth of bone tissue in much the same way that the natural tooth roots do.
After the root bonds with the bone, the prosthetic tooth is placed. This new tooth functions just like your natural teeth, and can withstand chewing and biting pressures. Also, having a new tooth to fill the gap will keep your other teeth in the right position, preventing eventual misalignment or long-term damage to your remaining teeth.
The decision to have a tooth replaced and how to replace it is an important one.
If you would like our help in deciding which tooth replacement is best for you, contact Dr. Chris Tye, serving Grapevine and surrounding areas, today at 817-552-3223 to schedule an appointment.