Are missing teeth affecting your life? Do lost teeth make it hard to bite and chew? Missing teeth affect more than the appearance of your smile. They can impact your self-confidence and 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. 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. Implants also support full bite function.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge can replace one or more consecutive missing teeth. Removable bridges are a typical dental restoration in our dental office. But implants can also secure bridges to ensure they last for many years. We don’t need to prepare your natural teeth to place implant bridges. 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.
Missing Teeth FAQs
Read answers to questions about missing teeth in Silver Spring, MD:
Do I need to treat crooked teeth or missing teeth first?
We often recommend that you straighten your teeth before replacing any missing teeth. Treatments like Invisalign in our Silver Spring office need room to move your teeth into the right spots. If we place a dental implant too early, it won’t move with your other teeth, which can it harder to straighten teeth.
How long does it take to replace missing teeth with dental implants?
Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant can take 3 to 6 months or longer. If you need pretreatments like a bone graft or gum disease treatment, that can add weeks to your total treatment time.
After we place the implant, it takes 3 to 6 months for the bone to grow around it and make it strong. Once the implant is secure, we attach an abutment that needs several weeks to heal.
How long does it take to get used to replacement teeth?
Getting used to replacement teeth takes a little time, but most people adjust within a few weeks. At first it might feel strange to have teeth where there was a gap before. You might notice extra saliva or a slight change in how you talk or eat.
With dentures, we recommend that you chew soft foods and practice speaking slowly. For implants or bridges, the adjustment is usually faster because they feel more like natural teeth. Patience is key. Soon, your replacement teeth will feel normal, and you’ll smile and eat with confidence again.
Will replacing missing teeth improve my speech?
Replacing missing teeth with dental implants can improve your speech. Teeth help you form certain sounds, like “s”and “th.” When teeth are missing, air can escape in a way that makes words sound slurred or unclear. Dental implants act like real teeth to keep your tongue and lips in the right position when you talk.
Am I too old to replace missing teeth?
No, you are not too old to replace missing teeth. People of all ages, including seniors, can benefit from treatments like dental implants, bridges, or dentures. As long as you are in good overall health and your mouth is healthy, you can be a good candidate for our tooth replacement options in Silver Spring, MD.
Can I get bad breath if I have missing teeth?
Yes, missing teeth can sometimes cause bad breath. When a tooth is gone, food particles and bacteria can get trapped in the empty space, especially if the surrounding teeth shift or become harder to clean. These leftover bits of food can start to break down and create an unpleasant smell. Also, gum problems or infections in the gap where the tooth used to be can make bad breath worse.
How long do tooth replacements last?
The lifespan of tooth replacements depends on the type you choose and how well you take care of them. Dental implants are the longest-lasting option and can stay in place for a lifetime if you keep your gums and bone healthy. However, the crown (the visible part on top) might need replacement every 10 to 15 years.
Dental bridges can last between 5 and 15 years before they need to be repaired or replaced. Dentures typically last about 5 to 8 years. Removable dentures may need adjustments or a new fit as your mouth changes.
What is the most durable treatment that can replace missing teeth?
The strongest treatment to replace missing teeth is dental implants. Dental implants are strong because they are made of metal and are placed into your jawbone. Over time, the bone grows around the implant to hold it in place. With good care, dental implants can last many years, sometimes even a lifetime.
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.