Do you have one or more missing teeth? Dr. Karim Naguib and his professional dental team offer restorative treatment options for dental concerns in the Lancaster and Palmdale areas.
Restoring missing teeth not only improves the aesthetics of your smile but improves the form and function of your bite. Learn more about the benefits of replacing missing teeth as well as the treatments we offer in-office below.
Why Replace Missing Teeth?
When you lose even one tooth, bone loss starts in the area where the tooth was lost. The bone starts to deteriorate and your face sags along with it. This causes a premature aging effect.
Even if you aren’t that old, your face is aged because of the sagging facial skin in that area. If the tooth is one of your front ones, it may make you self-conscious about your smile.
When you have a hole in your smile, the teeth around that hole will start to move to fill the gap. If you’ve had teeth straightening procedures done before, losing a tooth will begin to negate those effects. Your teeth will move, becoming crooked or jumbled in their attempts to fill that gap.
Depending on the location of your missing tooth, chewing and speaking ability can be affected. Chewing is especially impacted if one of your molars is missing, while speech is more impacted if one of your front teeth is missing. It can be hard for you to eat a balanced diet and eat all of the foods that you love when you have a missing tooth.
In addition, restorative dental treatments can:
- Prevent gum recession
- Improve bite function
- Support bone retention
- Provide stability and security
- Improve speech and chewing ability
If you have one or more missing teeth and want a natural-looking replacement, call our Lancaster office at (661) 948-6700 or our Palmdale office at (661) 273-6565. Our team will help you find a solution that aligns with your needs.
Missing Teeth Treatment
There are multiple treatments offered at Premier Dental Care that can be used to restore one or more missing teeth:
Dental Implants
Single missing teeth or whole arches of teeth can be replaced utilizing affordable dental implants. Dental implants consist of a titanium post that is inserted into the jawbone. After a period of 3 to 6 months, an abutment and dental crown are added for a permanent restoration. Many patients may even forget that they have dental implants because they look and function like natural teeth.
Dental Bridges
Multiple teeth can be replaced with dental bridges. Dental bridges can be removable or secured in place with dental implants. This solution utilizes surrounding natural teeth to secure and replace consecutive missing teeth. Patients can prevent further tooth loss by receiving a dental bridge.
Dentures & Partials
The upper and lower arches of teeth can be replaced with full or partial dentures. Like dental bridges, they can be removable or secured by dental implants. Many patients also find that it is easier to bite and chew food with full or partial dentures.
Missing Teeth FAQs
Do I really need to replace just one missing tooth?
Yes, even one missing tooth can compromise both the look of your smile and your oral health. The jawbone where your tooth has been lost starts to deteriorate immediately after it’s lost. The longer you wait to replace your tooth, the more issues you’ll develop.
Can a missing tooth change the look of my face?
Yes. The most obvious change is that you’ll have a space where your tooth used to be. But because of the jawbone deterioration that starts to occur, your face starts to sag. This can prematurely age your facial structure.
What happens if I don’t replace my missing tooth?
Having just one missing tooth can impact the health of the rest of your mouth. People that are missing a tooth are more likely to experience things like tooth decay, gum disease, further tooth loss, bite problems, and more. Your teeth may shift to close the gap and form other gaps in the process.
Request an Appointment
Call our Lancaster, CA dentist office at (661) 948-6700 or schedule a dental visit to our Lancaster dentist office online. Call our Palmdale, CA dentist office at (661) 273-6565 or schedule a visit to our Palmdale dentist office online.