Are missing teeth affecting your life each day? Do lost teeth cause you issues while chewing? Missing teeth affect more than the appearance of your smile. They can impact your self-confidence, ability to enjoy a regular diet, and speak clearly.
Dr. David Rever offers comprehensive care for replacing missing teeth in Silver Spring, MD. He works with patients on an individual basis. Dr. Rever will find the most appropriate option for restoring functional and beautiful teeth that lasts a long time.
Replacing missing teeth, from a single tooth to a complete arch of teeth, is essential for many reasons. We recommend replacing a missing or lost tooth as soon as possible to avoid developing more complex dental concerns.
Common Causes of Missing Teeth in Silver Spring, MD
Several common reasons can lead to the loss of one or more teeth, including:
- Poor oral hygiene: Neglecting proper oral hygiene practices leads to plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth. This can eventually cause infections, gum disease, and tooth decay. Without treatment, these conditions can result in tooth loss.
- Dental Injuries or Trauma: Hits to the mouth can loosen teeth. You can even knock out a tooth if you play sports or have an accident. Sometimes, our dentist can reattach a tooth if you bring it to our office in a cup of saliva. However, a single dental implant is the best option if this is impossible.
- Tooth Decay: Dental infections occur when harmful bacteria slowly break down natural teeth. Harmful bacteria can create cavities or holes in the teeth. While patients may receive fillings to clean and preserve their teeth, they may need extraction if they experience severe decay. Teeth can also fall out if patients do not receive professional dental care.
- Gum Disease: While gum disease begins in the gums, it can affect natural teeth. The gums help support the teeth; gum disease can create deep gum pockets that loosen natural teeth. Patients who do not treat advanced gum disease can lose their teeth.
- Age: As we age, our teeth become more susceptible to damage and decay. Additionally, conditions such as osteoporosis and gum disease are more common in older adults. These conditions can increase the risk of tooth and bone loss.
Poor nutrition, smoking, diabetes, and heart problems can increase your likelihood of losing permanent teeth. Visiting the dentist regularly and receiving tooth cleanings can significantly lower your risk of tooth loss.
Before we can replace your missing teeth, we will make sure you are in good oral health. Our office must ensure that problems like infections will not affect your new dental restorations. Infections can loosen implants, create discomfort, and more.
Why Should You Replace Missing Teeth?
A lost or extracted tooth affects the remaining teeth and the mouth’s soft tissues. Spaces left behind by lost teeth can create a new environment for harmful bacteria to grab hold. Gum disease and tooth decay are more prevalent in these cases. If you lose teeth because of decay and don’t seek treatment, you are more likely to lose more teeth to an infection.
When a tooth is missing for a long time, your jawbone can lose structure. As a result, your facial structure changes. As you lose natural jaw bone, your face begins to sag. Facial sagging can make you look older than you are.
Teeth can also shift to fill the gap left by one or more missing teeth. Shifting teeth can overcrowd and overlap teeth, making it hard to clean between them. This problem can lead to an increased risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and bite alignment changes. Missing teeth can contribute to TMJ disorders, cavities, and gum disease, ultimately worsening oral health.
You can support your oral health and overall well-being with a comfortable and natural-looking dental restoration. Our Silver Spring, MD, dentist will meet with you to evaluate your overall dental health condition. Then, he will recommend the most suitable option(s).
Missing Teeth Treatment Options in Silver Spring, MD
Dr. Rever offers the latest tooth replacement options, including all types of dental implants. Replacing one or more teeth with quality materials and the latest techniques can give you a new smile that looks and feels natural. Your tooth restoration options at Advanced Total Dental Care can include the following:
Dental Implants
Tooth implants offer critical benefits for long-term oral health. Implants restore missing teeth at the root using titanium posts. They can improve bite function, speech, and digestion because they act like natural tooth roots. Implants are also permanent; as long as you care for them, they will stay in your mouth for years.
Dental implants can replace a single tooth or secure a bridge or denture. Expect results that feel like your natural teeth.
Cosmetic Dentures
Today’s cosmetic dentures offer beautiful results. Although not as hidden as dental implants, they are the traditional method of replacing a full or partial arch of lost teeth. Removable partial dentures restore multiple teeth in different areas of the mouth. Complete or full dentures can restore full upper and lower tooth arches.
We may also secure dentures with dental implants for a permanent result. Dental implants ensure that your dentures don’t slip when eating or speaking. Dental implants also support full bite function.
Tooth Bridges
Dental bridges can also offer aesthetically pleasing results. Bridges replace one or more consecutive missing teeth. Removable bridges are a typical dental restoration in our dental office.
However, implants can also secure bridges to ensure they last for many years. Implant bridges do not require preparing surrounding teeth. This means we don’t need to damage your tooth structure to make room for the bridge. Sometimes, we may only need to replace a missing tooth with a single implant.
Dr. Rever uses advanced technology for both treatment planning and your custom procedure. The latest dental technology offers the best possible patient experience and results. High-quality ceramic materials are color-matched to your remaining natural teeth or your complexion. Your new restored smile will complement your overall appearance.
Schedule A Lost Teeth Consultation Today
Do you have lost teeth from an accident or mouth trauma? Visit Dr. Rever in our Silver Spring dental practice to discuss your options for missing teeth. We will help you get back a functional, beautiful, natural-looking smile. Dr. Rever can restore your quality of life with dental implants, a dental bridge, or a custom denture.
Complete your smile with natural-looking new teeth. Contact Advanced Total Dental Care today at (301) 637-0960. You can also request a dental appointment online today.