A missing tooth can significantly impact your confidence, dental health, and overall quality of life. It can affect what you eat, how you smile, and socialize, and the health and appearance of your remaining teeth. An untreated missing tooth can result in bone density loss and teeth misalignment.

Dentists recommend replacing missing teeth as soon as they occur. This reduces the impact on your dental health and also restores your confidence and smile. Dentists have several treatments for missing teeth. Dental implants are recommended for patients who need a more natural and permanent solution. Here are instances when a dentist can recommend dental implants:

When You Have Missing or Damaged Teeth

Natural teeth are strong and beautiful. However, they are affected by internal and external elements, such as cavities and trauma, which impact their strength and appearance. You can lose one or more teeth in an accident. You can also lose a tooth to a cavity or gum disease. A missing tooth leaves a large gap that requires immediate filling to prevent the adjacent teeth from shifting out of their original position in the gum. When teeth shift, they become misaligned or overly spaced, which affects your bite and can cause other problems, such as TMJ disorders.

Natural teeth are also susceptible to damage. They can crack after a fall or severe blow to the face, or can become damaged by a cavity. A filling or a dental crown can repair a damaged tooth. However, if the damage is severe, the dentist can recommend extraction. This leaves a gap that requires immediate attention to protect your adjacent teeth and restore their functionality.

Implants are a natural and stable way to replace one or more missing teeth. They create a stable basis on which a dentist can place an artificial tooth that will look and function like a natural tooth. Dental implants offer a more durable option for patients who wish to continue enjoying their favorite foods after tooth replacement. You can talk, smile, and socialize as if you still have all your natural teeth.

Thus, if you have a missing tooth or teeth, or your teeth are severely damaged, you can opt for a more durable, stable, and permanent solution for your teeth replacement. If tooth loss or damage affects your ability to talk, chew, drink, or smile, dental implants can address all those issues and more.

However, receiving a dental implant involves an invasive surgical procedure as the dentist places the implant in your jawbone. The procedure is painful and could take a considerable amount of time to heal. After that, you will enjoy the replacement for years, just as you would enjoy a natural tooth.

When You Need a More Natural Solution for Your Missing Teeth

There are various solutions for missing teeth, tailored to individual needs and budgets. They include dental bridges, dentures, and dental implants. Your dentist will examine your teeth and consider your needs and budget to help you select the most suitable treatment.

For people working on a strict budget, dentures are an excellent solution. They are inexpensive, less invasive, and easy to maintain. However, for patients who require a more permanent appearance and feel, dental implants are the preferred option.

A dental implant is surgically placed in the jawbone to create a strong anchor for your tooth replacement. If properly placed, the implant can remain strong and stable for years. The tooth replacement is permanently placed on the implant to restore your smile and the functionality of your teeth. This gives you a more natural look and feel after losing a natural tooth.

However, placing an implant requires an extensive surgical procedure that can be scary and painful. The treatment process is lengthy, meaning it can take a considerable amount of time before you achieve the desired look. Additionally, there is a risk of infection or implant failure, primarily if the procedure is not performed correctly.

When Your Dentures Do Not Fit Properly

Dentures are a convenient option when you lose one or more teeth and need a quick replacement. They are easy to get, as it takes only a few days for the dentist to create dentures to fit the gap left by the missing teeth. They are also inexpensive and easy to care for. You can remove and replace the dentures when brushing your teeth or eating. However, dentures must fit well to serve their purpose. You can eat comfortably, speak, or even smile when they do.

When your dentures become loose, consult your dentist immediately. Your dentures’ fit can be affected by several factors, including gum recession, if your gum has shrunk, changes in your mouth, or wear and tear on the dentures. Your dentist can recommend giving you a new set of dentures or a dental implant for a more permanent and natural feel.

Some patients opt for dentures as they wait to raise enough money for dental implants. If this is your case, you can go for dental implants immediately after your dentures loosen.

Loose dentures can be painful and uncomfortable. The continued friction between the dentures and your gums can cause irritation, which may lead to injury. Replacing the dentures immediately after noticing the problem will save you from these and many other issues.

Dental implants are a superior option for those who require a stable and durable replacement for missing teeth. Implants can last for up to 20 years if proper care is taken. Unlike implants, you can enjoy your favorite foods without damaging the implant. They also stay in place when you chew or talk, eliminating the possibility of an embarrassing moment when you are with your family or friends.

However, implants are more expensive than dentures. If you are still working on a tight budget, you may not be able to receive a dental implant. Additionally, you must have a strong and healthy jawbone to be eligible for an implant. If not, your dentist will recommend bone grafting to strengthen your jawbone for the implant.

When You Have an Infected Tooth

An infection affects the strength, functionality, and appearance of a tooth. It can spread quickly to adjacent teeth if not treated immediately after diagnosis. Your tooth can become infected if harmful bacteria penetrate its pulp. This can occur in cases of untreated cavities or other types of tooth damage. If you consume high-sugar diets or fail to practice good oral hygiene habits, you can eventually develop tooth decay, which is the leading cause of a tooth infection.

An infected tooth may require immediate removal if its structure and roots are severely affected. Sometimes, dentists save the affected tooth if much of its structure is still intact. However, severe damage to the tooth will require immediate extraction. Then, the dentist will perform root canal therapy to remove the infected pulp.

A failed dental procedure, such as a filling or dental crown, can also lead to a tooth infection. If a dental crown or filling is damaged, dentists recommend immediate treatment to protect the tooth and its underlying structures from harmful bacteria. If this does not happen, an infection can occur at the roots of the tooth.

Root canal therapy involves the removal of an infected structure to stop the infection. The removal leaves the tooth without a strong foundation, which can affect its strength, stability, and functionality. A dental implant is ideal for giving the tooth the strength it needs to function like a natural tooth. If the dentist saved the affected tooth, an implant can boost its strength. However, if an extraction happens, an artificial tooth can replace the natural tooth. The implant will act as its support system for years.

If you decide to undergo a dental implant procedure, your dentist will explain the treatment process and what to expect to prepare you beforehand. They will also discuss some of the issues you could experience during and after receiving the implant. For example, the procedure can be painful. It may also take some time to get used to the implant before you can smile, talk, or eat with minimal difficulty.

When Your Jawbone Density Deteriorates

When you lose one or more teeth to extraction or accident, the gap between the missing tooth leaves in the gum should be covered immediately to protect your remaining teeth and your jawbone. Dentists recommend restoring a lost tooth as soon as it happens. This is because the adjacent teeth tend to shift towards the gap to fill it, while simultaneously moving out of their rightful position on the gum. Ultimately, your teeth become misaligned. Additionally, leaving the gap for an extended period before restoring the missing tooth can result in bone loss.

Jawbone loss is dangerous to your dental health for various reasons. First, it changes your facial structure over time, giving your face a sunken appearance. Jawbone loss also affects your teeth’s alignment, resulting in bite issues. If the teeth on your upper and lower jaws do not come together perfectly when you bite down, it can affect your speech and put a strain on your temporomandibular joint.

Jawbone density loss can also affect how you speak or chew. It weakens the jaw, causing you problems on one side of your mouth.

If you have taken the time to replace a missing tooth and have started noticing some of these signs, a dental implant can help. Dental implants work best if you have a strong jawbone, since that is where the dentist places the implant. However, they can perform bone grafting first to strengthen the jawbone for the implant. This will also restore the bone structure that has already been lost and maintain its strength for years to come.

However, you must take good care of your implants to enjoy a long service life. Some everyday dangerous habits, like smoking, can damage your dental implants in only a few years. If you are a habitual smoker, your dentist will advise you to quit to protect the implant, oral health, and general well-being.

When Your Dental Bridge Loosens Up

Dental bridges are also very popular remedies for missing teeth. They are used in the restoration of one or two missing teeth by bridging the gap left after tooth extraction. They are artificial devices placed in the gap with an artificial tooth. They are anchored on the adjacent tooth for support and stability. The bridge can have an artificial tooth and a dental crown.

Although they are permanently placed on the gum, dental bridges are not as strong as natural teeth or dental implants. They can loosen up over time, especially if they are not correctly placed or if you fail to take good care of them. Instead of replacing a loose or damaged dental bridge with another, you can always opt for a stronger and more permanent solution.

However, your dentist will first determine your suitability for a dental implant. Remember that since the implant is placed on the jawbone, your jawbone and gums must be healthy. If not, you may need additional treatment before receiving the implant.

Additionally, you should discuss the cost of getting implants. Determine whether your insurance company will cover part of the treatment costs. Insurance providers typically cover procedures like these if they offer a preventive or curative benefit. Dental implants provide both preventive and curative benefits, meaning that you could convince your insurer to cover your treatment.

Find an Experienced Dentist Near Me

If you have one or more missing teeth, replacing them sooner rather than later restores your smile and confidence and also protects your dental health. Visiting your dentist immediately after losing a tooth ensures that you understand the various tooth restoration solutions available for informed decision-making. A skilled dentist will also provide information about these options, including the benefits and disadvantages.

At Washington Dental, we cater to all your oral and dental needs in Carson, Los Angeles, Lomita, and Torrance. We recommend dental implants because they are potent, stable, and a more permanent solution for your missing teeth. We can recommend additional treatment, such as bone grafting, if needed, before implant placement. Call us at 310-217-1507 to discuss your needs and our services further.