Missing teeth is a common problem amongst many individuals. The factors that cause missing teeth can be wide-ranging, but there is always a solution to replace the tooth or teeth that are missing. Modern cosmetic dentistry offers a long list of possible treatment options and some of them even provide full restoration of not only the appearance, but also a restoration of the functional ability.
For people that have missing teeth, this is generally viewed as a problem that is solely cosmetic. While this is the chief concern of many patients, there are also issues related to functionality and health connected to missing teeth. When an individual has missing teeth, it can affect the way that they bite, chew and speak. Along with that, it can also cause the other teeth to become misaligned.
Fixed Bridge
A dental bridge is a common solution to replacing missing teeth. Dental bridges are used to fill a gap where missing teeth may be. A bridge uses the teeth adjacent to the gap as an anchoring point and it essentially helps bridges the gap, and this is why it is called a dental bridge. Patients and dentists have a range of options when it comes to the material that the replacement teeth are made from and the appliance is fixed in place using cement that is designed for this purpose.
Dentures
For some problems with missing teeth, dentures might be the appropriate answer. This is a removable dental appliance that can be used to replace some or all of the individual’s teeth. The main advantage of dentures is that they are economical. However, many patient’s find this to be one of the least favorable options. They don’t offer the same level of stability that some of the other choices do and this can lead to problems with eating and speaking.
Implants
A dental implant can be an ideal solution for many patients. This is essentially like giving the individual a complete replacement tooth. With this option, an artificial root is fixed into place and a replacement tooth is mounted over the new root. This offers a solution that will function as much like the person’s real tooth as possible. You will often have functionality that is comparable to real teeth and it can help to prevent the bone loss that occurs when you do not have a root in the tooth socket. The main drawbacks to this procedure are that it tends to be more costly and it usually takes more time in the dentist’s chair.
With a skilled dentist and the use of modern cosmetic procedures, a patient can get their smile looking better than they could have ever imagined. No matter what the problem is in regard to missing teeth, there is a solution to replace the teeth and restore the smile. For a cosmetic dentist in Los Angeles that is ready to care for all of your tooth replacement needs, contact the team at Crystal Dental Centers at 213.748.8448 or visit www.crystaldentalcenters.com for more information.
