Why replace a lost tooth?

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As a child, losing teeth is a very necessary step in growing up. Baby teeth fall out, adult teeth come in. However, losing a tooth (and not replacing it) as an adult, can have very dramatic dental and medical consequences. Our mouths have evolved over the millennia to be what they are today, and when a tooth is missing, it throws off a lot of things.

From our Lafayette dentist Dr. Chauvin and his dedicated team, here are some reasons you should consider replacing a lost tooth as an adult.

1. Missing a Tooth Makes Chewing Difficult

The first problem is a loss in chewing efficiency. Every lost tooth is a 10% loss in your ability to chew properly. This leads to swallowing food that is not completely chewed, increasing your risk of choking, and leading to digestive problems (because the rest of the digestive system now has to compensate for your teeth not properly doing their jobs).

The primary function of the mouth is to break down food enough for the stomach to be able to digest properly. If food isn’t masticated properly, the stomach may not be able to fully break down the food, so your body won’t be able to properly absorb nutrients from what you eat. Also, large chunks of food that do not digest can become a breeding ground for bacteria, ultimately causing gas, bloating, constipation or diarrhea, cramping, and abdominal pain. This can also contribute to acid reflux or GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease).

2. Missing a Tooth Can Lead to Jaw Troubles

Another issue from a lost tooth is something called extrusion or supereruption. Essentially, without support on the opposite side of the mouth, the tooth on the opposite jaw will begin to drift down (or up) into the vacant space. The teeth on either side of the gap can drift inward as well, causing additional teeth to be misaligned. This reduces your bite strength, increases wear and tear on your teeth, and makes them harder to clean properly.

Moreover, the drifting and misalignment of teeth can also lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. When your teeth are not aligned properly, it can cause undue stress on your jaw joints and muscles. This stress can lead to chronic pain, headaches, and even difficulty opening and closing your mouth. TMJ disorders can significantly affect your quality of life, making everyday activities such as eating and speaking uncomfortable and challenging. Proper alignment and replacing missing teeth can help prevent these issues and maintain overall oral health.

3. Missing Teeth Can Cause a Collapsed Bite

You can also experience a collapsed bite. Your arch, the arc between the backs of your back teeth, will degrade over time. This will make your nose begin to point down, making your face shorter. After that, muscle tone in your face will be reduced, causing sunken cheeks and a pinched facial expression. In a nutshell, it makes a person look a lot older due to the loss of bone volume and muscle tone.

Contact Dr. Chauvin Today

It’s very important to replace a lost tooth immediately. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to fix. Once the other teeth start moving around, braces may be required to push them back into place. And as the teeth degrade, getting an accurate bite imprint will be almost impossible.

Have a missing tooth you suddenly feel a need to have fixed? Contact Dr. Chauvin’s office today!

Should I Get a Dental Bridge or Implant?

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Dental bridges and implants are some of the more common options for most people who are looking for an effective way to restoring their pearly white smile without the need to use dentures. This is an excellent choice for you to restore your teeth, and even eating and talking will feel just like normal.

From our experienced Lafayette dentist Dr. Tim Chauvin, here’s everything you need to know when deciding between these options.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are considered the easiest solution to bridge the gap that is created by missing one or more teeth. It actually contains a bridge that connects the adjacent teeth to provide a natural look. The connecting tooth is called a false tooth or pontic that can be made of alloys, porcelain or gold. Dental bridges can be supported by either the natural teeth or a dental implant.

This is an easy and inexpensive procedure to select if you need to restore your smile right away. Setting up dental bridges is  easy and will not require an enormous amount of time.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are another option to restore your smile. This is a more in-depth dental procedure wherein a titanium post is implanted within the jawbone. As the jawbone grows, it effectively fuses with the titanium post, which makes this a permanent option. The temporary crown will be then attached to the post as it fuses and heals.

The healing from this procedure takes anywhere from 6 weeks to 9 months, all depending on the implant’s location. Dental implants can be used also to secure dentures or bridges.

Which is a Better Choice for My Teeth?

Dental bridges may be a better choice for some people, while dental implants may be the way to go for others.

  • Dental implants can be less noticeable which will offer a more natural look.
  • Dental implants also give you the chance to chew food better, as compared to bridges where the artificial tooth may slip.
  • The bridges also require vigorous care to effectively place them. If one of the teeth wherein the attached bridge is affected, it can require replacement of the entire bridge to correct the problem.
  • The main issue with dental implants is they are much more expensive.

Generally speaking, if you are on a budget, then a dental bridge is the best choice, but if you want to have a more permanent solution, then a dental implant may be the right option.

Get in touch with our dental team today to see which is right for you!

How Long Do Dental Bridges and Implants Last?

The life span of dental bridge can reach up to 10 or more years, depending on proper care and hygiene.

Dental implants are permanent, but bridges and crowns that are attached to them will require replacement as time goes by.

In general, proper oral care is very imperative to have long-lasting benefits of these dental procedures.

Contact Dr. Tim Chauvin, Lafayette Dentist Today

In conclusion, dental bridges or dental implants are both an effective way to help to reinstate your smile. You just have to consider several aspects that can influence your decision on the best type of dental procedure that is applicable to your needs. Our team is here to help! Contact our office today to get started.