Your smile is one of the first features people see when they meet you. A beautiful, confident smile can help leave a positive impression on a first date or job interview. But, if you have missing teeth and are less than confident in your appearance, it can have the opposite effect. If you are ready to fill the gaps caused by your missing teeth, the team at Grand Avenue Dental in Gainesville, TX, is here to help.
There are a few reasons why a person may experience tooth loss as an adult. In some cases, you may have knocked out one of your pearly whites in an accident. Other people may experience edentulism due to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums that can, in severe stages, lead to your gums receding and teeth becoming loose or falling out. With proper oral hygiene care and regular maintenance cleaning, you can manage your periodontitis symptoms and avoid this. Regardless of how you have lost your pearly whites, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible to discuss treatment options. Even losing a single dental structure can make functions like chewing and talking more difficult and can have a negative impact on your self-esteem.
When you come into your appointment to discuss your tooth loss, your dentist will take a thorough look at your gums, existing teeth, and the gaps. They may take X-rays to get a closer look at your oral structures. If necessary, they may recommend an improved oral hygiene routine and additional restorative care to avoid tooth loss in other areas. Then they can discuss options like dentures or bridges to renew your smile. Dentures can replace an entire arch of your pearly whites or just a few areas throughout your mouth. These are typically removable, but you may be able to have an implant-retained option if appropriate for your needs. Alternatively, you can replace a few missing teeth with fixed dental bridges.
Dentures and bridges are great options to replace your missing pearly whites, but they may not offer the long-term support your jaw and facial structure need. To best support your jaw, your dentist may recommend dental implants for some patients. These use titanium posts inserted into the jaw, which naturally fuse to the bone and create a sturdy foundation for your restoration. Dental implants offer several benefits, including protecting your long-term jaw health, improving your smile’s functions, and blending in with your natural pearly whites.
You don’t have to live life with missing teeth or an improperly fitting prosthetic. To learn more about your options for dental implants, call your Gainesville, TX, dental team today at 940-668-9000.