5 Valuable Benefits of Traditional Braces
There are several types of braces available for different needs and preferences, but traditional braces are still a great and effective choice. Here’s what you need to know about their benefits.
The Link Between a Missing Tooth and Changes to Your Bite
When we think about replacing missing teeth, the main concerns are usually how it affects our appearance and the ability to eat and speak clearly. While both are important, there are other issues as well. When a missing tooth isn’t replaced, it can also affect your bite and cause malocclusions that can negatively impact your oral health.
Our dentists at Manhasset Dental Arts offer a range of cosmetic and restorative dentistry services, including solutions for missing teeth, at our office in Manhasset, New York. Here’s how a missing tooth can negatively affect your bite, and why you shouldn’t ignore it.
The link between a missing tooth and changes to your bite
If a missing tooth isn’t replaced, the surrounding teeth can eventually start to shift and alter your bite pattern. Teeth that were once straight and aligned might suddenly appear crooked, or you may have new gaps and spaces as some of your teeth shift to fill the space left by the missing tooth.
Depending on the type and severity of the new bite problems that develop, some teeth can be more difficult to clean if they’re crowded together. Bone loss can also develop after a tooth is extracted or falls out on its own. The bone tissue in the empty socket starts to erode, which can increase your risk of gum disease and infection. It can also destabilize the surrounding teeth.
Bone loss and bite problems happen gradually, so you wouldn’t necessarily have any symptoms or know that anything is happening until much later. Replacing a missing tooth as soon as possible is the best way to prevent future oral health problems like gum disease and malocclusions, and avoid more invasive and expensive dental work in the future.
Don’t wait to replace a missing tooth
Even a single missing tooth can affect your bite and make it difficult to eat and even speak clearly. Depending on your circumstances, our dentists will recommend either crowns or dental implants to replace a missing tooth.
A crown can keep your teeth from shifting by closing the gap in your gums. It also allows you to eat and chew your food, and fixes the cosmetic issues with teeth missing in the front of the mouth.
Dental implants replace both the root and the crown, so they’re the best option to prevent bone loss in the gums. Implants are a good choice for adults who are in good health and have enough bone density to support the implant.
A crown usually takes two to three appointments, and you can usually get a temporary crown while you wait. The process for dental implants takes a few months. First, the implant is surgically placed in your jaw. Once the implant heals and has fused with the surrounding bone tissue, the cosmetic crown is attached with an abutment.
Our dentists will recommend the best tooth replacement option and help get your oral health back on track.
For more information about tooth loss and the different types of dental restorations we offer at Manhasset Dental Arts, contact us today to schedule an appointment at our office in Manhasset, New York.
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