Are you missing one or more teeth? If so, know that you do not have to live with missing teeth forever. At our Atlanta dentist office, we offer a wide range of tooth replacement options to meet your needs. Here are three great reasons to pursue your restorative dentistry options sooner rather than later.
Cosmetic Concerns
When you are missing one or more teeth, this will often create unwanted gaps in your teeth. Additionally, you are more likely to experience teeth shifting if you are missing a tooth. This is especially important to consider if you’ve ever had orthodontic work done. We would hate to see our patients in need of further orthodontic care because their straightened smile was compromised by their missing teeth. It’s important to feel confident with your smile so that you will succeed both personally and professionally. Many studies show that your smile is the first thing that someone notices about you. When you are missing teeth, you are more likely to hide your smile while laughing or speaking in public.
Hygiene Concerns
Missing teeth create challenges for your at-home oral hygiene routine. The gaps left behind from your missing teeth create the perfect hiding spots within your smile for bacteria and food residue. You will need to take extra time during the day to clean these gaps and ensure no residue is left in them after meals. Even then, you are still at a higher risk for developing gum disease and tooth decay than patients who have a full set of teeth. We would hate to see our patients struggling to brush and floss because of their missing teeth. It’s important to brush and floss at least twice a day, but you may want to do so more often if you are missing multiple teeth to maintain your remaining dental structures while pursuing tooth replacement options.
Functionality Concerns
Your teeth were designed to work together when performing daily tasks like chewing or speaking. If you are missing a tooth, this compromises your remaining dental structures and creates unintended pressure points within your smile. Your other teeth must make up for the lost tooth, increasing your risk for enduring further dental damages. Additionally, these pressure points may lead to unwanted TMJ disorder symptoms like tension headaches or jaw pain because of how overworked your dental structures are due to your missing teeth. By pursuing tooth replacement options, you are investing in the overall look, feel, and function of your smile.
Schedule An Appointment
There are several options for replacing missing teeth including a dental bridge, dental implants or dentures, and partials. Dr. Brenda Paulen will take the time to listen to your dental concerns and goals, then thoroughly evaluate the current condition of your smile. She will help you choose the restorative dentistry option that is best for you, taking into consideration your budget, long term goals, and health. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Brenda Paulen today.