People with damaged or missing teeth should know that restorative dentistry can help them regain a beautiful smile. Restorative dentistry not only helps to replace damaged or missing teeth but also protects oral and overall health.
Restoring your teeth is essential because it helps you regain function and prevents future oral problems. This blog post will explain why restoring your teeth is vital, techniques for replacing teeth, and what happens if you forgo restoration.
Why Restoring Your Teeth Is a Must
Here are three reasons why restoring your teeth is vital:
It Helps Your Self-Esteem
If you have teeth that are missing or damaged, you already know how they can make you feel. You may avoid smiling or laughing in public. You may cover your mouth with your hand.
You probably don't smile when someone takes your picture. You may worry about your lost tooth's impression on the world.
It Prevents Orthodontic Problems
If you're missing a tooth, it's not just a cosmetic problem. When a tooth is not there, the other teeth may shift, causing you to lose the benefits of past orthodontic treatment. Having missing teeth could also affect your bite.
It Minimizes Future Decay
Your teeth may become crossed if their positions shift. This problem could bring on more tooth decay. Teeth that are not straight are more challenging to keep clean.
How Dentists Restore Teeth
Dentists restore teeth in one of three ways:
- Crowns
- Implants
- Bridges
Here are the details behind each type of restoration:
Crowns
Crowns are perhaps the most common form of restoration. Dentists use them when the natural tooth is compromised but is salvageable. The dentist prepares the tooth for a crown by removing the diseased area and smoothing it down. Then the permanent metal crown is applied. The crown often has a porcelain coating that makes it match your natural teeth.
Implants
Dental implants involve extracting the tooth, placing a titanium post, and applying a crown. The process can take a few months, counting extraction, post placement, and crown making.
The advantage of a dental implant is that it looks and functions just like a natural tooth. While crowns and bridges sometimes need to be replaced, implants are permanent restorations.
Bridges
A bridge involves building a structure between two healthy teeth and placing a false tooth between them. Bridges are excellent for people who are only missing one to three teeth.
If you are missing a significant number of teeth, you may wish to look into dentures rather than tooth restoration.
What Happens If I Don't Restore a Tooth?
If you neglect to restore a tooth and leave a space in your mouth for an extended period, you could experience bone loss in the jaw. This problem could give the area around your mouth a sunken look.
The longer you wait between extraction and restoration, the more problems you may encounter. It is better to restore the tooth with a crown, implant, or bridge as soon as possible.
The Importance of Tooth Restoration
Restoring your teeth allows you to be your authentic self and move through life without worrying about a damaged or missing tooth.
If you want to look into restoring your smile, call Smiles on the Upper Westside at 212-222-5225 today.