A missing tooth can not only affect your appearance, but it can also have detrimental effects on your oral health. Here we will discuss the importance of replacing a lost tooth and why you should consider treatment options if you have a missing tooth.
Understanding the Impact of a Missing Tooth
When a permanent tooth is lost, the other teeth surrounding it can shift to compensate for its absence. This shift can cause misalignment of the bite and changes in your smile’s appearance. Furthermore, the surrounding teeth may be more prone to decay or periodontal disease (gum disease) since they are now exposed to food particles that the missing tooth would have otherwise blocked.
A lost tooth can also cause your jawbone to deteriorate. When a tooth is extracted, the jawbone at the extraction site will gradually shrink due to lack of stimulation. This loss of bone can also cause changes in your facial structure and lead to further problems if left untreated.
What To Do if Your Tooth Is Knocked Out
If your tooth has been knocked out, it is possible to save it. Follow these steps to help increase the chances of saving your tooth:
- Carefully pick up the tooth by the crown, and do not touch the roots
- Rinse the tooth of any debris
- Try to put it back in its socket
- Bite down on a cloth or gauze to hold it in place and control the bleeding
- If you can’t put it back in, store the tooth in a cup of milk until you can see your dentist
- Contact your dentist right away for further instructions
Benefits of Replacing a Lost Tooth
Replacing a lost tooth can help to restore the proper function and stability of your bite and prevent the shifting of adjacent teeth. It will also help stop jaw bone loss, as it provides stimulation that helps keep the bone healthy and strong.
Replacing a missing tooth with an artificial restoration, such as a dental implant or bridge, can improve your smile’s appearance and reduce the risk of future breakdown of your teeth and degradation of your jaw bone. It also helps to maintain your natural face shape and prevents other teeth from becoming overly worn or damaged due to incorrect alignment.
Dental Implants: An Option for Replacing Lost Teeth
Dental implants are a popular and effective tooth replacement option. An implant consists of a titanium screw surgically inserted into the jawbone to replace the missing root. This artificial root serves as an anchor for a dental crown, dental bridge, or denture, which takes the place of your lost tooth. Dental implants can last for decades with proper care and look and feel very natural.
Socket Preservation
When a tooth is extracted, the surrounding bone begins to break down and is absorbed into the body, causing the bone to shrink and change shape.
Socket preservation is a bone grafting procedure that is performed at the time of extraction. The graft is placed in the socket of the missing tooth to help preserve the bone and prevent the socket from shrinking. If socket preservation is performed at the time of extraction, it will provide a stronger foundation for a dental implant and make it easier to place the implant in the future.
For more information about tooth extractions, read Tooth Extractions under the services tab.
Trust the Experts at AZ Max
Replacing a lost tooth is an important step to maintaining good oral health and preventing further problems from arising. Dental implants are a great option for replacing missing teeth, as they look and feel natural and can last for decades with proper care. Socket preservation is also recommended to help maintain the integrity of the jawbone and provide a strong foundation for the implant.
If you’ve lost a tooth and would like to learn more about replacing it with a dental implant, AZ Max Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are here to help. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment! We look forward to helping you achieve a healthy and beautiful smile.
If you are searching for dental implants near me or dental implants Mesa, contact AZ Max at (480) 830-5866 or complete the online booking form.
- For dental implants Tempe, AZ, and North Mesa, AZ schedule an appointment with Dr. R.Brinks Austin.
- For dental implants Mesa, schedule an appointment with Dr. Brent Boyse.
- For dental implants Queen Creek, AZ, or Mesa, AZ, schedule an appointment with Dr. Greg Romney.
- For dental implants Queen Creek, North Mesa, or Show Low, schedule an appointment with Dr. Blake Porter or Dr. DJ Lemieux.