Over 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. Dental decay, gum disease, and trauma are the most common reasons for missing one or more teeth, and the problem worsens as you age. Roughly 30% of adults lose all of their teeth by age 65.
Tooth loss has cosmetic, functional, and health consequences. It can affect the way you feel about your appearance, as well as impact eating and speaking. Left unaddressed, your remaining teeth can shift and cause more problems.
Our dental experts at Fresh Dental Care are dedicated to improving lives one tooth at a time. We have extensive experience implementing solutions for missing teeth, including dental implants. Learn if dental implants or dentures may be the right fit for you.
Whether you’ve lost teeth to decay, gum disease, or injury, it’s wise to consider options for replacement. Failing to address your missing teeth is a recipe for future dental problems.
Missing teeth cause the rest of your teeth to move from their original place, changing your bite. This can throw off the alignment of your upper and lower teeth, causing an unevenness in the force of the upper and lower jaw and raising the risk for problems such as jaw pain, stiffness, and headaches.
A change in your bite can also impact your facial appearance. Even a modest jaw misalignment can have a significant effect on the shape of your face. This change in the way your face looks can influence your self-confidence.
Missing teeth can make it difficult to eat certain foods, such as nuts. You may find yourself avoiding certain foods to compensate.
Dentures and dental implants are two primary options available for replacing missing teeth. Each of these options offers unique benefits. The option that is most appropriate for you depends on various factors.
If the idea of dentures conjures images of the past, think again. Gone are the days of poorly designed and ill-fitting dentures that look artificial and slip when you speak. Today’s dentures are much improved.
Today’s technology enables dentists to create dentures that fit and feel better than they did in the past. The quality and appearance of dentures have also improved dramatically. They are customized to fit you well, and are made from materials that look like real teeth.
One of the greatest benefits of dentures is that they are simple. These artificial teeth form to your mouth, are removable, and easy to take care of. You need only brush them like your regular teeth, remove them, and soak them overnight to keep them in excellent condition.
Dentures are a simple, affordable solution that preserves your facial shape, restores your chewing function, and gives you a confident smile.
While dentures may feel similar to your natural teeth, they won’t feel exactly like your natural teeth and take some getting used to. Dental implants have an advantage in this area as they look and feel like your natural teeth.
Dental implants are an excellent option if your jaw and gums are healthy. Unlike dentures, dental implants are a longer-lasting solution anchored to your jaw.
Dental implants can last more than 25 years. If you’d prefer a tooth replacement solution that you don’t have to worry about removing each day to clean, dental implants may be the option for you.
Getting dental implants requires multiple visits, which may need to be spaced out by weeks or months. Most patients are highly satisfied with the results.
There are more options than ever for replacing missing teeth. If you’re evaluating your options for replacing lost teeth, schedule an appointment with one of our providers. We have three convenient locations in Houston, Texas, and will work with you to find the solution that best fits your needs.
