Teeth play an important part of daily living but are rarely actively thought about or felt. Even so, their loss can have a huge impact on you and your health. Tooth loss can happen in a number of ways. You might have lost it accidentally during a contact sport. Maybe a tooth had become decayed to the point of being irreparable and needed to be removed. What do you do now? This tooth loss Q&A can help people who are dealing with that issue.
How Can I Replace My Lost Tooth?
Your dentist can provide you with a few options to replace your lost tooth, such as:
- Dental Crown. Using lifelike porcelain, zirconia, or metal, your dentist can mold you a crown that will mimic the top, visible part of your lost tooth. This crown will be supported by a titanium implant post, which is placed and fused into your jaw bone, replicating the root structure of a tooth.
- Dental bridge. This procedure involves your dentist shaping the two teeth on either side of the gap to fit dental crowns on. These dental crowns will act as anchors for the pontic, which will fill the gap, restoring your smile’s natural appearance and providing improved function to your bite.
What Happens If I Don’t Replace It?
Without a tooth’s root in place, your surrounding jawbone structure will begin to gradually lose density. Your teeth can then begin to shift and slowly wear down due to uneven distribution of pressure from your bite.
Restore Your Smile
Losing a tooth can be a difficult issue to deal with. Our staff can help. Contact us at our local Prairie Village, KS office today at 913-901-8345.
