When you suffer from tooth loss, this could lead to issues with the health of smile, and could cause serious complications for your overall facial structure too. In today’s blog, we’re looking at the dangers of untreated tooth loss, and how your Brighton, MA, dentists treat tooth loss, whether minor or advanced, with dental bridges and implant dentistry.
The Causes of Tooth Loss
We may lose natural teeth due to an injury to the face or jaw, or as a result of an untreated cavity or infection growing severe enough that teeth fall out or require extraction. However, the most common cause is periodontitis, the advanced stage of gum disease. Which means that keeping your smile whole requires routine care at home and in our office. Each day, you should brush twice for two minutes, and then floss every evening. A routine checkup and cleaning every six months are also recommended. These steps help protect smiles from issues like infection and gum disease, safeguarding stability.
Dental Bridges
If you do lose one or more of your teeth, replacement is recommended to restore the function, health, and beauty to your smile. If you have between one and three missing teeth in a row, we may suggest a dental bridge. The prosthetic contains your new teeth, referred to as pontics, and has crowns attached to either end. We prepare the teeth on either side of the gap in your smile and place the crowns onto them, securing the new ones firmly in place. The bridge itself will be crafted with durable and lifelike materials, ensuring your new teeth look completely natural.
Dental Implants
Dental implants don’t need crowns to stay in place. Instead, we insert a biocompatible titanium implant into the jawbone, where it bonds with the jawbone like a natural tooth root. This means your new teeth stay in place for decades, possibly a lifetime, and the stimulation of the jawbone tissues prevents the loss of mass and density that often follows tooth loss. After placement, we wait for the area to heal and then we add an abutment and a restoration to complete the visible portion of your new tooth. We use implant dentistry to address single missing teeth, or to even secure a long-lasting bridge or denture. If you have any questions about tooth loss, then contact our team today to learn more.
Do You Have Questions About Treating Missing Teeth?
We want to help you maintain a smile that is full, beautiful, and functional. To learn more about keeping smiles whole and strong, then schedule a consultation by calling Brighton Family Dental Group in Brighton, MA, today at (617) 562-5210. We proudly welcome patients from Brighton, Watertown, and all surrounding communities.
