Confident young man with arms crossedIf you have recently lost a tooth, you understand how frustrating this event can be. A new gap in your smile can cause an obvious disruption to your appearance and greatly challenge your self-confidence. You may find your bite worsening as you shift your jaw to accommodate your loss. To treat this problem and return your enthusiasm to show off your smile, you should consider a reliable restoration for missing teeth. A prosthetic tooth can stabilize your bite and prevent neighboring teeth from drifting into your socket. Your restoration can restore balance when distributing force as you chew and prevent accelerated erosion of enamel. These benefits combine to help you prevent additional tooth loss while enhancing your aesthetic appeal.

At your Newport Beach, CA, dentist’s office, we can evaluate the degree of your tooth loss and help you select a restoration for your lost tooth. Options such as dental bridges or implants allow you to go about your day without the annoyance of an incomplete bite.

The Impact Of Missing Teeth

You should not ignore the health implications of losing a tooth. While the cosmetic effects may be obvious, left untreated, a missing tooth can cause serious complications and compound harm. As teeth shift and misalign your bite, you become more susceptible to decay and gum disease. This is because certain teeth begin to lose enamel as they compensate for your gap when taking the force of your bite. As the enamel erodes, oral bacteria more easily infect and cause cavities, but by seeking treatment you can prevent these issues before they become worse.

Placing A Dental Implant

When you visit our office, we can determine if a dental implant best replaces your missing tooth. This prosthetic inserts directly into your jawbone through the socket of your missing tooth. As you heal from implantation surgery, your oral tissues fuse to the post to secure it steadily in place. An abutment at the end of your post allows us to attach a dental crown that completes your restoration. Care for your implant by practicing your normal oral hygiene routine and attending general checkup and examinations where we will inspect its status in your mouth.

Placing A Dental Bridge

We can also place a dental bridge to return your bite and prevent the drift of neighboring teeth. This prosthetic attaches to crowns placed on the remaining teeth and can even replace consecutive missing teeth with a single solution.

Talk To Your Newport Beach, CA Dentist About Replacing Your Missing Tooth

The correct approach to replacing a tooth can enhance your smile and return desirable function to your bite. To find out more about treating your loss with a modern prosthetic and to start your journey to a full smile, contact your Newport Beach, CA dentist’s office at (949) 630-0143 to discuss care today.