How and Why to Replace Single or Multiple Teeth

    PHOENIX, AZ, July 31, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- While missing teeth certainly result in aesthetic issues regarding your smile, they also create serious oral health risks if you do not replace them as soon as possible. Some of the problems you may develop include:

- Shrinkage of gum tissue
- Shifting of surrounding teeth
- Damage to roots of adjacent teeth
- Deterioration of your jawbone

The harmful impact of your missing teeth does not stop here. These issues may result in the development of additional conditions which can impact not only your oral health, but your overall general health as well. For example, shifting teeth may create alignment issues with your bite, resulting in temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). TMJ is a painful condition that can affect your head, neck, jaw, and shoulders.

As your jawbone deteriorates, it may weaken and shrink. This may impact your facial structure, making you look considerably older. The erosion of your jawbone can affect your ability to chew certain foods, resulting in an altered diet consisting of primarily soft or mashed foods. This may lead to nutrition problems if you cannot eat a well-rounded diet.

Gaps in your teeth can also accumulate deposits of food, increasing your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and bone decay. In order to prevent many of these harmful conditions, it is crucial that you replace your missing teeth in a timely manner.

Treatment Options for Your Missing Teeth

There are three primary options to replace your missing teeth:

- Dental implants
- Dental bridges
- Dentures

While all three options will adequately correct the problem, dental implants provide you with the most effective treatment. There are several advantages to choosing dental implants, including:

- Both your tooth and root will be replaced, preventing the erosion of bone structure in your jaw.
- Adjacent teeth will not need to be altered to support the implant, so they will maintain their strength. As a result, you will not face an increased risk of additional tooth loss in the future.
- Since dental implants are permanently fused to your jawbone, you will be able to chew properly and eat anything you'd like. You also will not experience the slippage associated with dentures; therefore, your speech will not be impacted.
- Your dental implants will look, feel, and function just like a natural tooth.
- Oral hygiene maintenance is easier with dental implants. You can care for them by brushing and flossing.
- Dental implants are very durable. If you take proper care of them, they can last for the rest of your life.

At your initial consultation, your dentist will examine the condition of your jaw, gums, and neighboring teeth in order to recommend the best option based on your unique oral health issues.

To learn more about replacing missing teeth, please visit the website of Winterholler Dentistry today at www.azdentalcare.net, serving patients in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Payson, Arizona.

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