Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Missing Teeth
Do you have one, several or all your teeth missing? Then it could be time to think about treatment. At our dental practice based in Lancaster, we can help restore your smile to its former brilliance, giving you back your bite and chew – and even your quality of life once again.
Why do people lose their teeth?
There are lots of reasons. It might be an accident or injury that’s knocked them out. It might be the removal of a tooth due to issues like infection or decay. Or it might be that you have been missing some of the permanent adult teeth from birth (a condition called oligodontia). Whatever the cause, our Lancaster team is here to focus on the future – and treatment.
What’s so bad about missing teeth?
Sometimes, losing one tooth doesn’t pose too much of a problem – although it really depends on the location in your mouth. In most cases, though, it can affect your life, forcing you to hide your smile or avoid the foods you love. But on a medical level, it can actually cause issues for the future, such as teeth that spread and become gappy to fill those spaces, or even recession of the gum and jawbone underneath.
How do I replace one of my teeth?
Through a process called dental implants – which uses permanent false teeth to restore your smile’s appearance and function. In the industry, this is known as a single dental implant.
Can I replace a row of teeth?
Yes, we can replace several teeth together through special bridges. These use a false tooth in the middle of the row, retained by your dental implants on either side. We call these implant-retained or implant-supported bridges.
What about a whole set of teeth?
You can even replace both sets of teeth, called implant-retained or implant-supported dentures. These use implant attachments at special anchor points in the mouth, plus dentures that ‘snap’ into place. They’re much more secure than typical dentures and can be easily removed.
How long will my new tooth implants last?
With the right care and attention, there’s no reason your new dental implants shouldn’t last a lifetime. They feature a secure metal root and a porcelain crown, so look extremely realistic as well as being highly durable.
What’s next for me?
To arrange a dental implant consultation at our Lancaster dental practice, speak to our talented dental team today and we’ll book a date and time to suit you and your schedule.