Dental Prosthesis: 5 Reasons to Replace Missing Teeth

Man sits in dental chair to replace missing teeth.
A man sits in a dental chair smiling. Caption: Contact us today to talk about how to replace missing teeth.

There are many different reasons why people suffer from tooth loss. For example, tooth loss can happen as a consequence of gum disease, or because of an injury or trauma. If you have gaps in your smile, there are different solutions available to you here at Dental Partners of Boston. A dental prosthesis is an artificial replacement of missing teeth. Examples of available options include dental implants, dental bridges, dentures, dental crowns, and veneers to replace missing teeth.

Here are five reasons why it makes sense to replace missing teeth with a dental prosthesis:

1. Get Dental Prosthesis to Improve Your Smile

A smile with gaps in it may cause a lack of confidence because a missing tooth or teeth can impact how you speak, smile, and laugh freely with family and friends. A dental prosthesis replaces your missing tooth with a prosthesis that looks and functions like a natural tooth. A tooth replacement will make it appear as if you never suffered tooth loss, and no one will notice the restoration.

2. Protect the position of remaining teeth

Gaps between teeth will eventually cause teeth to move if left untreated with one form of a dental prosthesis or another. Your teeth will begin to drift out of alignment toward the empty space, causing discomfort in your bite, and making chewing painful.  As they move, teeth may also become loose, causing further irritation and a higher risk of losing additional teeth. When you replace the missing tooth, your remaining teeth will stay solidly in place.

3. Ensure Healthy Chewing Function

As remaining teeth move into gaps, additional small spaces between your teeth appear and food traps are created. These gaps become uncomfortable and can lead to impacted food that will irritate your gums and threaten gum health. Chewing food properly is essential to proper digestion and nutrition. If chewing becomes painful, eating will lose some pleasure for you.

A dental prosthesis allows you to chew normally and without pain or discomfort, therefore, you should care for all prostheses to extend their life. Your dentist will explain to you how to care for your particular prosthesis as each type of prosthesis is different. For example, some dentures need to be removed at night to soak in a solution that cleans them and prevents bacteria build-up. Dental implants on the other hand remain in your mouth and are cleaned by brushing twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush and floss.

4. Keep Speech and Pronunciation Intact

Certain sounds in our speech are shaped with the tip and edges of the tongue against the teeth. When air is allowed to pass through a gap in the teeth, those sounds come across as slurred or strange. Replacing missing teeth with a dental prosthesis can help with the pronunciation of certain sounds of words that would be difficult if teeth were missing.

5. A Dental Prosthesis Can Prevent Bone Loss

Chewing and biting food keeps the bone structures in our mouths healthy and strong. If bone tissue is weak the jawbones can’t support the remaining teeth and there is an increased chance that more teeth will be lost. Additionally, when there isn’t a tooth root or a prosthesis, the body will reabsorb the bone. Your facial features will eventually be affected, giving you a sunken-in appearance because the bone structure is no longer intact.

Our prosthodontists at Dental Partners of Boston will be happy to schedule a consultation with you to discuss your options. He or she will answer all your questions carefully and be sure you understand what will be involved in your treatment plan. We caution you against leaving gaps because it may lead to additional problems. We will work with you to find a solution that works for you and your individual needs to replace your missing teeth so you have a healthy and beautiful smile once again.

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