Applications To Replace Lost Teeth And Preserve Your Chewing Abilities
Losing one or more teeth can make it difficult for you to feel good about your appearance. In addition, depending on the location and number of the lost teeth, the loss can affect your ability to chew your food effectively.
Still, missing teeth do not have to negatively affect your appearance or your digestive process. There are multiple dental applications available to replace lost teeth and preserve your chewing abilities. Here are a few of them:
Dental Implants
A dental implant is a titanium rod or screw that is used to replace the root of a lost tooth. The implant can be fitted with an abutment and a dental crown to fully restore a single tooth, or it may be used to stabilize other restorative appliances, such as implant-supported dentures.
A dental implant is often considered the most natural of tooth-replacement devices. Not only does it rest in the jawbone as a natural tooth root would, but it also offers the same chewing ability and stabilization as a natural tooth.
A dental implant even transfers bone-stimulating pressure to protect the density of the jawbone. When a natural tooth is used to chew or bite, the pressure of the bite force is transferred from the tooth to the bone of the jaw. There, the force stimulates the bone to produce additional bone cells, which maintains the density of the jawbone.
Fixed Dental Bridges
Some tooth-replacement appliances, such as a traditional denture, can look great in the mouth. However, as a standalone device, it may not remain stable enough to withstand the bite pressure associated with chewing a large variety of foods. Many people with traditional dentures complain that the device slips about in the mouth. Even denture adhesive may not be sufficient to hold the appliance in place. As a result, a fixed dental bridge may be preferred.
A fixed dental bridge is held in the mouth by the appliance's connection to dental implants or natural teeth. The bridge includes a dental crown on each side of the appliance. Each crown connects to an implant or abutment tooth. This connection holds the dental bridge firmly in place. As a result, the bridge can withstand the same bite pressure as the supporting dental implants or natural teeth.
Also, the false teeth and crowns of a dental bridge can be matched to the color of the patient's other teeth. Thus, the bridge looks completely natural in the mouth.
If you have one or more lost teeth, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your local area or click here.