When we’re kids, our baby teeth grow in and then fall out – replaced by our “adult teeth” during adolescence. Those adult teeth are there to stay. If you lose one, it’s gone and your body won’t grow another one. So what are your dental options when you lose a tooth? In this article, we are going to talk about the importance of replacing missing teeth.
Losing a Tooth
There are many things that can result in a lost or missing tooth. Acute injuries (such as a car crash) can knock teeth out of your mouth. Tooth decay, left untreated, can result in a necessary tooth extraction. The list goes on. When you lose a tooth, you have two basic options – do something about it, or leave it as is. Not doing anything about your missing tooth is a bad idea for several reasons. First, there’s the cosmetic issue to consider. A full set up teeth generally looks better than a smile missing a tooth or two. Second, there are physical consequences. A missing tooth will cause your adjacent teeth to shift and try to fill the gap. When teeth shift to accommodate for the space they put excessive pressure on the remaining teeth that will likely cause damage to the other teeth.
Options for Replacing Teeth
When it comes to replacing lost teeth, you have several options at your disposal – from implants, to bridges, to dentures. What works best will depend on your situation.
Back to the question at hand – do you need to replace a lost tooth? You don’t need to, but it’s a very good idea to prevent any dental health issues in the future.
Twin Cities Dental Clinics
Smiles for Life offers dental care at two Minnesota clinic. We have been helping patients with their oral health needs at these locations for many years. Dr. Tim Brooks is a skilled and experienced family and cosmetic dentist. He and the rest of the team at Smiles for Life are well equipped to help you with your dental issues. Contact us today to set up your appointment with Dr. Brooks at one of our Twin Cities dental clinics.
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