Cosmetic Dentistry for Missing Teeth

    ARLINGTON, VA, May 22, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Losing teeth is more common than you may think. Statistics show that about 70 percent of adults between the ages of 35 and 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth. By the time they reach 74 years old, more than 25 percent of adults have lost all of their permanent teeth.

Tooth loss may be the result of:

- Tooth decay
- A failed root canal
- Trauma
- Gum disease
- Excessive wear and tear

Why Replace Missing Teeth?

You may think that one missing tooth is not a big deal. However, a single missing tooth can have a significant impact on your smile and your overall oral health. If you lose a tooth in the front of your mouth, your lips will sink in at that position. The result is a smile that looks older and imperfect.

Loss of your back teeth can cause wrinkling in your face and also interfere with your ability to chew food. The location of your missing tooth will cause the other teeth in your mouth to shift toward that empty space, resulting in a crooked smile and misaligned bite that can lead to painful symptoms like temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ).

Ways To Replace Your Missing Tooth

Replicating the appearance and natural function of your lost tooth can be a challenge. There are three main ways to fix a missing tooth or teeth: a fixed bridge, a removable appliance and a dental implant.

Dental Bridges

A fixed dental bridge is like having three dental crowns placed. A traditional fixed bridge is used when you have two remaining teeth on either side of the empty space. These remaining teeth are prepared for dental crowns, which will be used to "bridge" the gap. A false tooth is then used to fill the empty space, replicating the look and function of your missing tooth. A cantilever bridge is anchored to two teeth on one side of the empty space, and a resin-bonded bridge is used for your front teeth, as it involves the least amount of tooth preparation.

The advantages of a bridge are that it is fixed, stable, and feels like your natural teeth. A dental bridge can be made to look just like you never had a missing tooth. The disadvantage is that you have to treat two teeth besides the one that was extracted, even when these teeth may have no defects or decay.

A bridge can also be used to hold a dental implant in place. This method will not require the use of dental crowns on your otherwise-healthy adjacent teeth.

Removable Appliances

Partial dentures are ideal if you are missing several teeth scattered over your upper or lower arch, or if you have at least two teeth on both sides of your arch. There are several types of removable partial dentures (RPD), which use a standard plastic denture tooth to fill the space of your missing tooth. The most common type of RPD is a flipper, which is a fake tooth fastened to an acrylic plate and held in place with metal clips.

Dentures are often recommended if you have lost the majority of your bottom or top teeth, and you want to pull your remaining teeth for a complete replacement. Both dentures and RPDs take some getting used to initially, and make it harder to feel hot and cold foods and liquids.

Dental Implants

A dental implant is the strongest, most durable option for tooth replacement. An implant is a small metal peg that is implanted into your jawbone. Your surrounding tissue and bone will naturally grow around the implant, holding it securely in place. A dental crown is then attached to the implant for a sturdy, aesthetically-pleasing restoration.

If you would like to replace a missing tooth or multiple teeth please visit the website for Michael K. Chung, D.D.S. at Softouch Dental Care in Oakton, Virginia, serving patients in Oakton, Tysons Corner, Reston, Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlington, Washington D.C. and the Northern Virginia area.
Website: http://www.softouchdentalcare.com/chung.htm

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