Losing your teeth as an adult comes with many potential oral health problems, from loss of function to further bone loss and many other worries. Luckily, advancements in dentistry have brought many ways to help replace your lost dental structures and maintain your oral health. Your Houston, TX, dentist is here today to explain the benefits of two of these options and how they work.
A Bridge Or Partial Denture Can Replace Many Lost Teeth
When deciding on the right prosthetic option to replace your lost teeth, your dentist will take your oral health and personal needs into consideration. The right option for you will depend on how your pearly whites were lost and your lifestyle needs. If you have lost one or more of your dental structures in the same row, a dental bridge may be the best option for you. This is a permanent fixture that is supported in place by crowns on the adjacent teeth. For patients who experience tooth loss throughout their oral cavity, a partial denture set may be more beneficial. With this option, you can replace your lost pearly whites while leaving space for your existing teeth.
Improve Your Appearance And Function Of Your Smile
Replacing your teeth helps maintain your smile’s appearance, improve functions you may have lost, and can better your overall oral health. Having just a single gap in your smile can cause changes in your ability to chew certain foods or speak, depending on which structure has been lost. This decrease in function can have a negative impact on your physical and mental health. Losing a tooth can also affect your smile’s appearance and your self-esteem, as you may feel anxious to show off your pearly whites if you have a gap. By replacing your lost structure, you can feel confident in social situations and protect your jawbone from losing it’s strength.
Dental Implants Are A Helpful Alternative
Some patients may be eligible for dental implants, which are a unique prosthetic option that can help replace an entire missing structure. Options like a bridge or denture only mimic the visible part of your missing pearly white. A dental implant uses a post that is secured into your jawbone to recreate your tooth’s lost root. This helps protect your jaw from weakening, prevents further bone loss, and can be a long lasting solution for patients experiencing tooth loss. You may be able to use implants to securely replace a single tooth, or a set of dentures, depending on your needs.
Talk To Your Dentist About Prosthetic Options
Dental prosthetics can help prevent further tooth loss and help to maintain your smiles function. To schedule an appointment with our Houston, TX, dentist team, call MMC Dental today at (713)926-8896!