People usually associate losing teeth with getting older. However, people can lose their teeth at any age, and almost for any reason. Young people, for example, might lose two or three teeth at once from sports trauma. People with poor enamel formation may have excess decay that requires teeth to be pulled. Sometimes, teeth can become infected and develop an abscess, and they must be pulled.
After tooth loss, your main goal is restoration. You want your teeth to look normal and natural when you speak and when you smile. There are several options for tooth replacement that you can consider for early tooth loss.
Dentures
Depending on how many teeth you have lost, you may need to consider a full set of dentures. Getting dentures when you're young is not something that you need to be concerned about. When your dentures are designed and fitted properly, you will not be able to tell the difference between them and regular teeth in appearance. You will need to make adjustments for eating (sticky toffee, for example, can be challenging for dentures). Dentures are a good option is you lose a lot of teeth at once. A quality set can last several years before they need to be replaced.
Partial Dentures
A full set of dentures may not be necessary for some people. You might only need some of your teeth replaced, or just the top or bottom set. Your dentist might recommend partial dentures to fill in the gaps left by lost teeth. You'll have the stability of your existing teeth to make the dentures feel secure, and you won't have to worry as much about bone loss from the supporting jaw. This is a cost-effective option for people who need teeth that look realistic.
Bridges
Bridges are a good solution for people who don't want removable appliances. These are most effective for one or two missing teeth. The bridge attaches to a neighboring tooth, filling in the space with a false one. In some more extreme cases, bridges might also use wires to connect the filler teeth to the top of the mouth or to a set of neighboring teeth. Bridges are nice because you don't have to worry about removing or cleaning them like you do with dentures. They feel natural when you're biting and chewing. You have to take care to ensure that the anchors stay put, which might mean reduced participation in contact sports and wearing a mouthguard during more risky activities.
Implants
Finally, you can choose dental implants. Dental implants are a superior tooth replacement option because they are strong and permanent, and they also require very little external maintenance; you take care of an implant just like you take care of a tooth. Implants are so effective because they rely on a post that is activity fused to the supporting bone below the gums. Over several months, the post is fully anchored through a process called osseointegration. Then, the replacement tooth is screwed into this secure post so the 'tooth' is rooted into place. Implants are strong and the post does not need to be replaced, even if the crown does in the future. You can replace one tooth or several teeth with implants.
Not all people can get implants. You must have good healing ability, a good supporting bone structure, and favorable response to the preparation process. People with weaker bones, joint disorders, or diseases that affect bone density may not be able to get an implant.
For more information on tooth replacement for early tooth loss, contact a dentist near you, or check out websites like http://premierdentalgrp.com/.
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