Smile with Confidence: A Comprehensive Guide to Dental Health and Care

missing teeth

Common Dental Questions, dental care questions and answers, dental health tips, cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental technology, ask a dentist about missing teeth

Ways to Fix a Missing Tooth

“All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!” It was a popular Christmas song more than 70 years ago, but the sentiment isn’t lost, even today. Having missing teeth, especially in areas that are visible to others, can do a number on your confidence. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Fixing a missing tooth is actually one of the most common dental procedures that family dentists perform on a daily basis. Millions of Americans opt yearly for fixing their missing teeth, restoring both their confidence and their beautiful smiles. So what are your options if you have one or more missing teeth? Is there more than one dental procedure for replacing lost teeth? Here’s information from family dentists in Essex County about the procedures available in dental offices today for repairing missing teeth.

What Are Dental Bridges?

Aptly named, dental bridges fill gaps. A dental bridge is a type of false tooth that has the capability of concealing gaps in teeth that make it hard to eat, smile, and even speak properly. Your bite isn’t something you think about often, until it becomes a problem. Dental bridges work to close the gap between teeth, bringing back proper function of teeth. But restoring function and beauty of teeth isn’t all that dental bridges do. They also help to restore overall dental health. The fact about gaps between teeth is that they can lead to a greater risk of developing gum disease because of bacteria that can build up. If you’re someone who suffers from gaps between teeth, you’ve probably been searching for a way to fix the problem. Following is more information on the purpose and procedure of dental bridges that can help you decide if a dental bridge is a viable option for your situation.

dental veneer installation procedure

What Can I Do About Missing Teeth?

The effect of a missing tooth can have a huge impact on not only a person’s smile, but also on their overall health and well-being. For those who have recently lost a tooth or who have been meaning to replace a lost tooth for some time now, there are many solutions available to restore a smile to its original beauty. For immediate relief, schedule a tooth replacement consultation with a cosmetic dentist near you today. For those who would like to learn more about their available options, here are a few important things to keep in mind.

Dental Hygiene Tips for Teen Athletes

For those who love a good hockey game, you probably cheer on your very favorite NFL player who sports a toothless grin.  At the salaries that NFL stars command, you know their missing teeth aren’t a result of lack of money; they just figure, they’ll get whacked in the face again, so might as well leave that porcelain out of their mouth during a game.  Renowned hockey players like Gordie Howe, Bobby Clarke, Stan Mikita, and Bobby Hull all have toothless grins.

Your student athlete might be sporting a smile similar to these hockey greats, if he or she does not choose to wear some oral protection to save their smile.  It doesn’t even need to be a wayward hockey stick that takes some teeth, as approximately 13 to 39% of all dental injuries are related to sports.

Does A Dental Implant Work?

In the past, the usual fix to the missing tooth dilemma, was to be fitted with a dental bridge, an often ill-fitting wire which was hooked onto your existing teeth, wherein a false tooth (or teeth) filled in that gap in your smile.

Today, however, the preferred method of tooth replacement is a dental implant.  Dental implants have many superb qualities, among them: they replace missing tooth roots and form a stable foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth. Additionally, dental implants help preserve the remaining bone by providing the stimulation previously provided by the natural tooth roots.  There is a 95% success rate for dental implants.