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WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO YOUR OTHER TEETH TO REPLACE LOST TEETH AND WHAT CAN BE DONE

1. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR ME TO SEEK A REPLACEMENT AFTER I HAVE HAD A TOOTH OR TEETH EXTRACTED?

   • When a natural tooth or teeth have been removed, the empty space in the mouth due to a missing tooth is an unhealthy condition. If left unfilled this space can cause the surrounding teeth to drift out of position and can cause more tooth decay and gum disease that can cause further tooth loss. If left untreated, empty spaces allow the bone to shrink and may result in losing more teeth.

     • The teeth on either side of the empty space will begin to tilt and migrate into the empty spot due to chewing and natural forces. They can become loose in their sockets.

     • The tooth above the empty space with nothing to bite against, drifts down (called elongation). It may become loose. If left untreated these teeth will, at some point, also be lost.

     • Missing teeth can alter the way you speak and feel about your facial appearance, causing you not to smile.

     • With the loss of several teeth the collapse of your facial features can cause premature wrinkles and age lines. Loss of jaw dimension and shrinkage is also a natural consequence.

2. WHAT ARE MY CHOICES OF TREATMENT FOR MISSING TEETH?

   • A dental implant is an artificial tooth root (synthetic material) that is surgically placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or teeth in place. The advantage of using implants is that they don't rely on neighboring teeth for support; they have high degree of success and are stable. Implants look and felt like natural teeth, and they are easier than a fixed bridge or a partial denture to become accustomed to them.

   • A fixed bridge is prepared just like a crown and is, in fact, two or more crowns connected together. The teeth on both sides of the missing tooth are crowned and the missing tooth is attached. A bridge is cemented into the patient's mouth; it is not removable and is treated just like natural teeth. It must be tooth supported on both sides of the false tooth. The advantage of fixed bridges is not only do they correct an altered bite, improve your chewing ability and speech, but also they usually do not require surgery for placement.

   • A partial denture is a removable appliance that can replace all missing teeth in one jaw with one appliance. Partial dentures are removable and come in two different designs:

   1. Metal and Plastic combined with wire clasps to hold the partial in place. It has a metal palate, and false teeth to replace your missing teeth.

   2. All Plastic which looks like a retainer. Designed only to avoid embarrassment, it has
      false teeth for mostly aesthetics & minimal chewing, and it is considered temporary.

The advantage of the partial is that it is less expensive and teeth can be added to a partial denture in the future. It is quite useful as a transition appliance until a full denture is needed.

We hope this will give you some options to improve and maintain your oral health.

 

Lincoln Square Professional Bldg.
317 W. 3rd La Junta, Co. 81050