The teeth serve both an aesthetic and functional purpose and play a big part in the overall health of a person. Take a look below at some of the most reasons the teeth need to be repaired as well as the methods used to repair the teeth.
Each tooth in the mouth plays an important role as they keep the teeth around it in place as well as straight and stable. If one tooth starts to drift, it has a domino effect on all the other teeth surrounding it. Eventually, it can misalign your entire bite. This is very dangerous so it is always best to replace and repair teeth before a misaligned bite starts to happen.
We have been taught since we were children that taking care of the teeth and gums is of the utmost importance to our overall health. One problem can lead to another which can eventually lead to a surgical problem like gum disease. If the teeth become misaligned, it can become harder to reach certain spots to brush or floss. If plaque or other bacteria build-up over time, it can quickly lead to gum disease. If gum disease occurs, more missing teeth becomes a possibility in the future.
If you do end up developing a misaligned bite, you can also have problems with the temporomandibular joint in your jaw. Once the teeth shift out of alignment and cause bite misalignment, you may soon notice jaw pain, clicking noises, headaches and the inability to open your jaw all the way (TMJ).
The root of the tooth is securely inside the jawbone which it stimulates to grow and regenerate the bone. When the root is damaged or gone, the bone in your mouth can crumble and/or die. The good news is that dental implants are placed directly in the jaw which means bone loss is reduced to a minimum when the teeth are quickly replaced.
One of the most commonly cited reasons for wanting tooth replacement is the desire to feel confident while smiling. Feeling down on yourself for not having a perfect smile is an incredibly common occurrence. Your smile is such a part of who you are that it is easy for imperfections to make you feel uncomfortable in your personal and professional life.
Dental crowns are a common tool used to replace the top portion of a specific tooth. The crown is placed on top of a tooth’s existing root (where there was most likely decay in the past). Crowns have the ability to last anywhere from five to fifteen years. However, if a crown is not secured correctly by an experienced dental professional, bacteria can form underneath it and cause more decay as well as more dental appointments. Always make sure to have your crowns done by a trusted dental professional.
Dentures have become more discreet in their appearance over the years. Today, many people have partial or complete dentures without anybody realizing they are in the mouth. A partial denture is used when it is a specific area of the mouth that has missing teeth and a full denture is used when all of the teeth are missing from either the bottom row or the top row. Dentures can be placed much easier than in the past. Dentures can now just snap right into your mouth depending on if your dental surgeon installed anchors or clips.
Veneers are usually made of porcelain and last an average of ten years for each tooth. Veneers are installed directly on top of a tooth’s stud. Depending on the damage to the tooth, your dentist may decide to shave the tooth down to the stud before installing the veneer. Once your veneers are successfully installed, you are still in danger of plaque and bacteria build-up underneath the veneer. This means you have to visit the dentist regularly for cleanings and examinations.
Dental bridges are a non-permanent fix for your mouth. Like veneers, they last an average of ten years. They are most commonly used when someone has one to four teeth missing in a row.
As the name implies, this solution is permanent and will last the rest of your life. A dental surgeon adds anchoring points inside the jaw for prosthetic teeth to attach to in the mouth. This solution is invasive but the results are long-lasting.
The teeth are one of the most necessary and important parts of the body. If you have missing or damaged teeth, consider one of the above treatment options What is most important to remember is that it is not just problems with the appearance of the teeth that can occur. A host of health risks can also occur with missing teeth. Keep the information above in mind when you are getting ready to visit your cosmetic dentist so you will know what you hope to achieve with your desired cosmetic dentistry procedure.