Lost teeth impact
total health In the past, the loss of teeth (edentulism)
was dismissed as a natural part of the aging process,
and dentures were considered a normal sign of old age.
While such ignorance is rapidly becoming a thing of
the past, there is still not a general awareness of
the seriousness of edentulism. Multiple tooth loss is
most commonly caused by periodontal disease, i.e. gum
and bone disease. Periodontal disease has a high statistical
correlation with chronic debilitating disease, such
as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and arthritis.
So it is not very surprising that studies now show a
shortened life expectancy by as much as 10 years for
persons who have lost their natural teeth, when compared
to those who have kept their teeth.
In addition to longevity, quality-of-life differences
are just as significant. The functional efficiency of
dentures has been measured to be only 20% of that of
natural teeth. Can there be any doubt that nutritional
deficiencies will be much more prevalent in those without
their natural teeth?
Loss of teeth often causes a feeling of loss of wholeness
and a sense of deterioration and aging. Given these
factors, preservation of the natural teeth is integral
to whole-person wellness.
Replace
missing teeth with dental implants "Well, I don't like that.
What can I do?" If it sounds like I've heard this
conversation a few times, you're right. If I'm going
to keep a patient happy, I need to provide options at
this point.
One of the options would be
an implant. This is the replacement of a tooth with
a false root that is surgically placed. It is then followed
by the careful construction of a crown to replace the
missing tooth, to prevent teeth from shifting and thereby
causing further tooth loss.
If you have any questions about missing teeth and possible
implant treatment, please call our office.
Some
dental problems are easy to see!
One of the easiest problems to spot is a build-up of
plaque. Plaque is the soft, sticky layer of bacteria,
which is constantly forming on the teeth. Usually it
is invisible to the naked eye, but when a person is
not brushing adequately, it can build up to where it
appears to be a thick whitish coating on the teeth at
the gum line. If not removed, it can lead to gum disease.
Another potential problem, which is easy to spot, is
missing teeth. Many patients assume that if they are
still able to eat, they are O.K.
But very often, losing just one tooth can lead to the
loss of support, and teeth begin to drift into the empty
space, causing a change in the bite. It also forces
the remaining teeth to carry an additional load, sometimes
past their ability to adapt. In most cases, when even
one tooth is lost, the remaining teeth suffer and are
more likely to be lost as well.
Our focus is in the treatment of problems such as these.
Call our office for the care you need.
A
Missing Tooth?
Losing a tooth by accident or by extraction is not the
end of the matter. When a tooth is missing, the resulting
gap will allow nearby teeth to tilt or drift from their
normal position, and the teeth above the gap will move
downward. Aside from the obvious cosmetic problem, the
changed positions of these teeth can lead to severe
bite problems causing jaw pain and headaches.
Missing teeth should be replaced to keep other teeth
in their normal position. This can be done by means
of a fixed bridge or a dental implant. Both of these
treatments offer a good functional and cosmetic result.
Please call our office with any questions you may have
about the benefits of replacing missing teeth with bridges
or dental implants.
