Missing teeth not only create a hole in your mouth \u2013 they create a hole in your life as well. Empty gaps affect your ability to speak and chew properly, and they can disturb an even bite pattern and shift your jaws out of alignment. If you have missing teeth in the front of your mouth, you may feel self-conscious smiling and laughing in public and for pictures. Two standard options for tooth replacement are dental bridges and dental implants.<\/p>\n
Bridges are a good restoration solution under the following conditions:<\/p>\n
The principal disadvantage of bridges is the stress they place on surrounding teeth. In order to construct a bridge the neighboring teeth must undergo enamel removal, which could permanently damage otherwise healthy teeth. And once a bridge is placed, the supporting teeth will remain under constant stress to hold it up. Additionally, while pontics are placed in the bed of the gap, they do not extend down into the gumline nor address gradual bone loss that occurs when the gum is left exposed from a missing tooth. Although bridges provide a superficial solution to tooth loss, underlying bone and gum recession will continue and could potentially lead to additional oral problems in the future.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, implants are the only restoration solution on the market that not only preserve natural bone but stimulate continued bone growth under the false tooth. Implants are strong, durable, and replace missing teeth without affecting the surrounding, healthy teeth. And because implants protect bone health, they prevent future jaw issues that are caused by receding bone. But implants too have their drawbacks: they require an adequate supply of strong, healthy bone to fuse adequately into the jawline. If bone under or above the tooth gap is too short, too weak, or too thin, additional surgery from a bone graft may be required. For top teeth, if the sinuses are too close to the jawbone, a sinus lift may be necessary. Bone grafts and sinus lifts involve several months of recovery post-surgery, which further procrastinates setting of an implant.<\/p>\n
Tooth restoration is a daunting \u2013 and often financially heavy \u2013 challenge to face. Don\u2019t be afraid to speak with your dentist in depth before making a decision. He or she will walk you through your best option, as well as the pros and cons of bridges and implants. If you choose to get a bridge, most major insurance types will cover at least a portion of the procedure. And while implants may not be included on all insurance plans, the placement process takes several months and gives you time to set up a payment plan or save money.<\/p>\n
Here at Boyett Family Dentistry, we hope you never feel self-conscious about smiling. If you are missing one or several teeth, call our office today at 863-294-9200 to discuss restoration options with Dr. Boyett.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Missing teeth not only create a hole in your mouth \u2013 they create a hole in your life as well. Empty gaps affect your ability to speak and chew properly, and they can disturb an even bite pattern and shift your jaws out of alignment. If you have missing teeth in the front of your […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3138,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n