Missing teeth are more than just a cosmetic concern. If left untreated, missing teeth can lead to severe dental health concerns. Addressing missing teeth as soon as possible is essential to restoring function, health, and beauty to the natural smile.
Replacing missing teeth can prevent further damage and improve your confidence and overall oral health. Using state-of-the-art dental technology and cutting-edge material, our team DC Precision Dentistry offers a full range of tooth replacement options. Washington, DC dentist Dr. Justin Deckard may recommend dentures, dental bridges, or dental important to restore missing teeth.
The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth
If you have missing teeth, you should replace them as soon as possible. Otherwise, it can lead to a wide range of severe oral health concerns. When one tooth is missing, the remaining teeth begin to shift in an attempt to fill the gap. Not only does shifting teeth affect the appearance, but it can also affect the function of the bite.
Studies have suggested that patients who are missing teeth are at a higher risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease, infection, and further tooth loss. Missing teeth may even affect the way you chew and speak. Patients with missing teeth have a difficult time chewing, which may result in an imbalanced diet and other complications.
Tooth Replacement Options
Replacing missing teeth can help restore confidence and function to your natural smile. Dr. Deckard offers a full range of tooth replacement options that can be tailored to meet each patients’ specific oral health and aesthetic needs. Dr. Deckard works closely with patients to analyze their teeth, assess their oral health, and recommend the appropriate tooth replacement option. Dr. Deckard will work with you to determine if a dental implant, dental bridge, or dentures are the right for you.
We encourage patients with missing teeth to visit DC Precision Dentistry in Washington, DC. Our dental office is accessible to neighborhoods like Shaw and the DC Navy Yard. If you are missing one or more teeth, schedule an appointment with Dr. Deckard. To schedule an appointment, call (202) 851-7554 or request an appointment online.
Missing Teeth FAQs
Can a missing tooth impact my face?
Even when you’re only missing one tooth, it can still have an impact on your face. Your jawbone starts to deteriorate when the tooth root is missing. This leads to the appearance of a sagging face, which worsens with time.
What happens if I don’t replace my missing tooth?
Even one missing tooth can have a lot of consequences. First, you have aesthetic issues. You may not want to show your smile off when you’re missing a tooth. It also leads to facial sagging over time. There are many health impacts, too. Your other teeth will try to fill in the gap and become crooked. This can impact your bite, leading to issues with TMJ and increasing the likelihood that you’ll suffer from chipped or cracked teeth. Your remaining teeth are also more likely to suffer from tooth decay and gum disease.
What are my options to replace my missing teeth?
Dental implants are the gold standard of tooth replacement. They are the only tooth replacement solution that can also replace your tooth root. Dental bridges and dentures are also available. Dr. Deckard will do a full evaluation to determine which is the best option for you. He will consider your oral health needs, budget, and the number of teeth you must replace.
What are the most commonly missing teeth?
The most commonly missing teeth are the wisdom teeth (third molars). Dentists usually have to remove these teeth for reasons such as crowding or impaction. The next most commonly missing teeth are the lower second premolars and the upper lateral incisors. These teeth are often missing due to genetic factors, where they don’t develop, or dental disease and decay that requires extraction.
Can missing teeth cause digestive problems?
Yes, missing teeth can cause digestive problems. When teeth are missing, chewing food can be more difficult. As a result, larger pieces of food end up in the stomach. In addition, your digestive system will be unable to break down food with stomach acids fully. Consequently, your intestines may not fully absorb the nutrients from foods. This can cause bloating and indigestion. Above all, managing missing teeth with dental treatments like dentures, bridges, or dental implants is important.
Can you use porcelain veneers for missing teeth?
Porcelain veneers aren’t a solution for missing teeth. Dentists use veneers to enhance existing teeth, not replace absent ones. So when a tooth is missing altogether, veneers won’t help. Instead, dentists and oral surgeons use solutions like dental implants, dental bridges, or partial dentures to fill the gaps. Dental implants offer a comprehensive solution, replicating the visible part of the tooth and its root.