What Happens When I Lose A Tooth? Why Replacing Missing Teeth Is Important To Your Health.

What Happens If I Loose A Tooth?

Losing one or more teeth can affect your ability to chew, lead to bone loss, negatively impact your self esteem and if left untreated, even lead to other health conditions. According to the CDC,  "severe tooth loss—having 8 or fewer teeth—impacts the ability to eat meats, fruits, and vegetables, and presents yet another challenge to having a healthy diet."  When you chew, the pressure on your teeth stimulates your jawbone maintaining normal bone levels in your jaw.  After tooth loss, there is no tooth to stimulate your jaw resulting in bone loss.  Missing teeth allow adjacent teeth to begin to shift out of alignment resulting in changes in your facial shape which can cause your appearance to become saggy and aged.  The good news is that your dentist on Commercial Blvd Fort Lauderdale has various treatment options to restore your smile including dental bridges,  complete or partial dentures, and dental implants.

What Causes Tooth Loss?

We all loose teeth as children; however, losing a tooth is not unique to children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),  7 % of people in the United States have lost at least one permanent tooth because of decay by age 17. The percentages increase to 69% for 35 to 44 year olds!  As we age, we are more likely to experience tooth loss for various reasons including:

• Tooth decay
• Smoking
• Gum disease
• Physical trauma
• Poor Nutrition
• Poor Dental Hygiene
• Cancer
• Normal wear and tear

How Do I Find A Dentist To Replace Missing Teeth?

If you are missing one or more teeth and are ready to start the process of replacing missing teeth, you could search the web for "top rated dentist near me" or "missing teeth options" or look at online reviews to find a five star dentist.  Nancy Rotroff, DDS, MAGD and Gerard Wasselle, DMD have over 60 years combined experience in family and cosmetic dentistry and consistently receive five star reviews from their patients.  

What Are My Options To Replace Missing Teeth?

Missing teeth can make you feel self-conscious and affect your ability to chew and even affect your speach. Fortunately, Dr. Nancy Rotroff and Dr. Gerard Wasselle have several options for tooth replacement. Call Excellence in Dentistry at 954-928-1666 to schedule an appointment to discuss which option is best for you. The procedure you choose will depend on several factors including whether you need a single tooth or multiple teeth replaced, your oral health, and cost.

The most common tooth replacement options are:

• Dental bridge. A traditional dental bridge consists of an artificial tooth (pontic) attached to dental crowns on one or both sides to "bridge" the gap left by the missing tooth.  Dental bridges restore bite integrity as well as aesthetics of your smile.

• Partial or complete dentures. Partial and complete dentures are custom-made, removeable appliances made with a resin base supporting artificial teeth. The primary difference between a partial and a complete denture is the number of teeth the dental prosthetic replaces. While partial dentures replace one or several teeth between the remaining teeth, complete dentures replace all teeth in either the  upper or lower arch.

• Dental implants. Dental imlants are the gold standard in replacing missing teeth for many reasons. Unlike traditional bridges, implants do not involve treating neighboring teeth.  Because the implant portion of the restoration is placed into bone, dental implants mimic your natural tooth both in structure and function stimulating the jaw and preventing bone loss. Dental implants can replace one tooth, a number of teeth in an implant bridge, or an entire arch of teeth in an implant supported denture. If you have ill fitting dentures, ask your dentist in Fort Lauderdale about implant supported dentures. 

Whether you are interested in replacing missing teeth with a dental bridge, partial or complete dentures or dental implants in Fort Lauderdale, call Excellence in Dentistry.  Dr. Nancy Rotroff and Dr. Gerard Wasselle practice general and cosmetic dentistry in a relaxed, stress free office on Commercial Blvd. Call 954-928-1666 to schedule your appointment today!