Many dental patients assume that the permanent teeth that replace their baby teeth are just that, permanent. In fact, there are many reasons a tooth could be lost or extracted throughout a lifetime. For example, an injury or trauma to the mouth could knock out a tooth or decay could lead to the tooth needing to be extracted.
Often when something happens to a front tooth, a patient immediately speaks with his or her dentist to discuss replacement options. However, when a molar or back tooth is missing, patients sometimes believe that they can just live without it. Dr. Terry Vines of Pure Gold Professionals in Dentistry advises patients to discuss replacement options when any tooth in the mouth goes missing. He describes the impact of a missing tooth as a potentially troublesome oral health issue.
There are several reasons why a missing tooth could be problematic. First, each tooth serves a purpose in the mouth for biting, chewing, proper speech, and even confidence. When a tooth, or several teeth, are missing, the mouth loses some of its proper functionality. Additionally, each tooth in the mouth helps to keep the other teeth in proper alignment. When there is a gap where a tooth used to be the surrounding teeth will begin to shift and turn, they could become crooked. This not only leads to a negative impact on an individual’s smile it can lead to tooth decay and gum disease as bacteria find nooks in which to hide.
Dental crown and bridge appliances are an efficient way to restore a missing tooth and give patients a great looking and fully functional smile. This type of appliance consists of two dental crowns and a replacement tooth that is fused between the two crowns, thus “bridging” the gap. Having a crown and bridge appliance placed usually requires two trips to the dentist’s office.
For more information on how to approach treatment for a missing tooth, call the Pure Gold Professionals in Dentistry office and schedule a consultation with Dr. Vines today.