More than 150 million American Adults are missing one or more teeth. This can be for a variety of reasons and is not always a result of neglect. Sometimes a tooth is lost in spite of us doing everything we possibly could to prevent it. While not every tooth that is missing needs to be replaced there can be many ramifications when an adult tooth is lost or missing. Missing teeth can affect your chewing ability, diminish your confidence in smiling, and even impact the health of your remaining teeth by allowing them to move or putting extra chewing pressure on them. This is why Dr. Mitchell offers various tooth replacement options to help restore both the appearance and function of your smile.
What Can Happen if I Choose Not to Replace Missing Teeth?
Diminished oral function: When certain teeth are missing, biting and chewing food can become challenging. This can result in a loss of nutrition which can affect your overall health and well-being. Speech can also be disrupted. Even the absence of a single tooth can significantly disrupt the healthy function of the mouth.
Lack of support: Teeth provide support to oral structures such as the cheeks and lips. The absence of teeth can lead to sagging in these tissues which can present a significant cosmetic concern. This issue can regain support with restorations like dental implants, dental bridges and removable appliances.
Teeth shifting: Gaps in the smile can cause neighboring teeth to shift, potentially affecting the alignment of the teeth. Moreover, the reliance on the remaining teeth due to tooth loss can subject them to excessive wear and tear which can result in more damage, and even further tooth loss.
Dental Implants
Dental implants serve as an excellent permanent tooth replacement solution for many patients. Comprised of a screw-like post, a crown, and an attachment in between called an abutment, implants provide a strong and long-lasting solution for missing teeth. The procedure involves a small surgery to place the implant into the jawbone which then must heal prior to the crown being placed on top.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges offer another effective means of restoring your smile by bridging the gap left by missing teeth. We offer different types of bridges to address each patient’s unique needs, including traditional bridges, Maryland bridges, and implant-supported bridges.
Traditional Bridge: Utilizes crowns that are bonded to natural teeth on either side of the gap, with artificial teeth replacing the missing ones.
Maryland Bridge: Ideal for replacing missing front teeth, secured to nearby teeth using metal structures on the sides of the bridge.
Implant-Supported Bridge: Utilizes implants for a secure fit, with the implants placed into the jawbone to secure the bridge that fills the gap.
Restoring Your Smile in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho
If missing teeth are holding you back from enjoying the foods you want to eat or from  revealing a beautiful smile, we encourage you to take action. Our team at Mitchell Dental Studio is here to help you achieve a radiant and healthy smile. Schedule your consultation today by contacting our office or using the online form.
