English 
Spanish What comes to mind when you picture someone with missing teeth? Maybe you envision a hockey player with teeth knocked out or a gentle grandparent affected by the toll of natural aging. Perhaps you picture a cartoon character whose face has seen the unfortunate end of a frying pan. As this thought experiment shows, it’s not hard to picture someone with missing teeth. That’s because tooth loss is a prevalent issue, with more than 120 million Americans missing one or more teeth.
What many people don’t realize, however, is that if left untreated, missing teeth can affect your immediate quality of life and your long-term health. If you’re looking for a tooth restoration, such as a crown, bridge, or implant denture, mini dental implants are a secure and reliable way to restore your smile.
How Do Missing Teeth Affect Your Life?
There are several ways that missing teeth can affect your life, from simple day-to-day activities to potentially causing serious long-term damage. The most outward-facing way they cause trouble is by affecting your smile. Many people feel self-conscious about their smiles once gaps appear. But holding back your smile can have far-ranging effects on your mood, stress levels, and even your immune system.
Missing teeth will also affect what you can eat and how easy it is for others to understand you. Lose enough teeth, and it may mean saying goodbye to fresh fruits and veggies or a thick, juicy steak. Additionally, gaps in your gumline can lead to lisps and other speech issues. Over time, you may become more reluctant to speak up or to try a new food simply because you want to avoid the embarrassment of what might happen.
While these concerns certainly merit taking action, it’s important to note that there are long-term medical consequences of failing to replace missing teeth.
What Medical Issues Can Missing Teeth Cause?
Missing teeth also mean there’s an empty socket where that tooth and root used to live. Those empty spaces are great spots for bacteria to thrive and food particles to get trapped, increasing the risk of infection and gum disease. Left untreated, infections will worsen, increasing the likelihood that a more complicated procedure like tooth extraction or oral surgery will be needed.
In this case, the old phrase, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” is true. Being proactive and promptly replacing lost teeth can prevent the need for bigger, more expensive procedures down the road. The good news is there are plenty of options for replacing teeth once they are gone.
How Can You Replace Missing Teeth?
There are several ways to replace missing teeth, but some of the most widely used are:
Dental Crown
Dental crowns are used to restore damaged teeth or replace missing ones. A dental crown can be used as a cap that covers a damaged tooth to protect and restore it. Or, dental crowns may be affixed to dental implants to replace a lost tooth. Crowns are shade-matched to blend in seamlessly with your smile.
If just one tooth needs to be replaced with a mini dental implant and crown, the process is remarkably efficient and offers immediate results.
Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is aptly named—it bridges the gap between two healthy teeth to restore an even smile. Bridges are used to replace a few consecutively missing teeth. In a traditional bridge, two crowns on opposite sides of the gap support a false tooth or teeth, which fill the space. An implant-supported bridge doesn’t connect to healthy teeth with crowns, as it is a self-supporting structure. This means that no excess pressure is exerted on healthy neighboring teeth for those opting for an implant bridge.
Implant Dentures
If you want to replace all your teeth, implant dentures may be the best option. These upgraded versions of traditional dentures use mini dental implants to offer a more stable, functional solution. Overdentures can “snap on” and off, combining the removability of conventional dentures with modern dental technology. The Fix-on-Six® system gives even more stability and security as more implants are used as anchor points. Finally, the non-removable roundhouse bridge closely matches the fit, feel, and function of real teeth, offering the highest level of security.
At your free consultation, Dr. Bradford will examine your teeth, evaluate your needs, and help you determine the best tooth replacement solution for you. Your consultation includes a thorough exam, a 3D scan of your teeth and jaw, and a discussion about insurance and financing. It’s our goal to make tooth replacement effective, efficient, and economical.
Replace Your Missing Teeth Today!
Missing teeth are more than just an annoyance; if left unchecked, they can evolve into a more formidable issue. Don’t wait any longer to replace missing teeth. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. There’s no time like the present to address your dental needs!
