When a child loses a baby tooth, there is no need to be concerned because it will be replaced by a permanent adult tooth.
However, if a permanent tooth falls or is knocked out of your mouth, it is considered a dental emergency.
If treatment is immediate, there is a chance that the tooth can be replanted. In addition, if left unattended, there is a risk of developing an infection in the socket of the tooth.
Fractured or broken teeth can also become dental emergencies by putting you at risk of infection.
While you might be tempted to go to a hospital emergency room, you will most likely be sent to a dental expert who can make an accurate assessment and diagnosis of the damage and discuss treatment options with you.
If you have ever lost a tooth, you probably understand the many problems it causes to your mouth's health.
Eating certain foods can be challenging, and most of the time, you will avoid smiling because you do not like the way you look.
Teeth help us chew and speak clearly. If you are missing one or more teeth, the surrounding teeth begin to move.
Eventually, you can end up with bite problems because your teeth will no longer line up correctly.
Besides, gum tissue and bone under your missing tooth can cause the surrounding teeth to weaken and start to deteriorate, leading to further tooth loss.
Luckily, there are several options available to replace missing teeth. But which one is right for you? We will show you the six most common options and the benefits of each.
Replacing the missing tooth could involve a dental Implant procedure. This procedure places an artificial root (screw) in the jawbone that is covered with a porcelain crown.
Implants offer one of the best options for restoring functionality, comfort, and aesthetics.
When implants are put in place, the surrounding teeth are not disturbed. Implants are known for their excellent durability; they can last for decades.
However, you should bear in mind that healthy and adequate bone tissue is required for dental implants, so they are not suitable for everyone.
A fixed bridge looks and functions like natural teeth and is another option. Fixed bridges are artificial teeth that are attached to the surrounding teeth.
The dentist uses a natural tooth or teeth to hold the bridge in place using cement. Only a dentist can remove them.
Since the bridge is permanently in place, it does not need to be removed for cleaning and can't move out of place. Also, from a budget perspective, a fixed bridge costs less than dental implants.
Another alternative is a complete set of new (artificial) teeth, upper or lower, that form a replacement prosthesis.
When it is necessary to replace all upper or lower teeth, dentures are typically the least expensive option.
They are removable for easy brushing, cleaning, and repairs. Dentures made from modern materials look very natural and can work just like your own teeth.
When there are one or more remaining natural teeth in the upper or lower jaw, partial dentures or removable bridges are the preferred treatment.
Partial dentures are replacements for a dental piece designed to fit between the remaining natural teeth as if they were a puzzle.
The teeth to be replaced are attached to a gum-colored plastic base, which in turn is anchored to the remaining natural teeth through a small metal closure so that the partial dental prosthesis is fixed to the mouth.
“Dental "Flipper" is a nickname for partial dentures used to replace missing teeth and is specifically designed for each patient's unique tooth structure.
Flippers are entirely removable, which makes them extremely easy to replace if necessary.
The naturalness and versatility of flippers make them a highly recommended option. When you first see them, they look no different from a regular tooth.
You can also incorporate them into most gaps. However, the material flippers are made of is not exceptionally durable. Patients often must go to the dentist to fix any rupture or malformation.
A dental crown is a fixed prosthesis placed on a tooth, although they can also go on implants.
They cover the tooth's entire surface and behave like a natural tooth, fulfilling all the aesthetic and chewing functions that the patient needs.
Crowns can be made of different materials which are always tailored to the tooth on which you place them and mimic the shape and color of the patient's teeth.
If you have a tooth missing, it is not advisable to leave the space open even though many people do not have a problem.
Over time, this space can allow the other teeth to move and can cause bite problems.
Please take advantage of these six alternatives that we have explained to you, consult with your dentist, and then select the best option for your needs.
Teeth injuries are common occurrences that happen to both young and old. Although the teeth are composed of strong and durable tissues, they can break apart when subjected to impact greater than they can withstand.
A sudden fall, a blow to the face, biting down on a hard object, or pulling on something heavy with the teeth are some of the ways by which the teeth can get injured.
Breaks or cracks in the tooth can cause mild discomfort if minimal or extreme pain and swelling if it is a significant injury.
Whether you chipped off a small piece of your tooth or a large break occurred, there are necessary steps you should take to ensure the optimal health of your mouth.
When you feel a part of your tooth break off, the immediate step is to check the site to determine how small or large the break is.
Check for the presence of jagged edges and how sharp they are. Take a critical look at the broken tooth to see if there is any bleeding, redness, or swelling around the area.
Also, take stock of the intensity of pain or discomfort that you are feeling. Sometimes, you might not know the full extent of the injury, especially when the cracks run deep.
However, carrying out an initial assessment helps you to determine your next course of action.
For cracks and breaks that leave a significant portion of the tooth still affixed to the gum, it might be possible for the dentist to reattach the broken piece.
At the very least, it will help the dentist in assessing the injury and formulating treatment plans. You can wrap the piece in a strip of wet gauze or place it in a saline solution.
You do not need to wash or scrub the tooth before keeping it. Ensure to take the tooth to your dentist as soon as possible.
When a tooth breaks off, a pointy, sharp, jagged surface is usually left behind, which can cause cuts and injuries to the soft tissues of the mouth and the tongue.
To prevent further injuries, you need to cover the sharp surface with a material that will stay on for a while.
You can take a piece of dental wax and mold it to the surface. Better still, you can make use of a temporary tooth repair kit until you can visit your dentist.
If the tooth's crack is minimal, causes mild discomfort, and has little or no bleeding, you can choose to treat the symptoms on your own before your appointment with the dentist.
Rinse your mouth with warm water mixed with a little salt. You can apply pressure with a piece of gauze to stop the bleeding. A cold pack pressed to the jaw will help to relieve swelling.
A broken tooth is a dental emergency if it is painful, has left a sharp fragment causing trauma inside your mouth, if you can't stop the bleeding, or if you want to save the tooth.
In case of a dental emergency, a quick trip to the dentist's office is essential to prevent further damage and other complications that might occur.
The specialist will be able to fix the injury properly and inform you on how to prevent it from happening again.
Depending on how severe the break is, you may require a minimal restorative procedure like a filling or an extensive correctional operation such as a root canal.
Endeavor to complete the full course of treatment while ensuring to follow your dentist's instructions.
Failure to adhere to the course of treatment can cause recurrence of the injury or increase its severity.
Cracks and malformations of the teeth might go undetected for a long time, especially when there are no symptoms.
You might also have underestimated the severity of a broken tooth which could cause severe complications later.
With regular visits to the dentist, abnormalities would be quickly discovered and treated before they begin to affect your oral and systemic health negatively.
If your teeth are damaged, misaligned, lost or decayed, it can cause you to experience several unpleasant oral symptoms or health complications.
Some of which include trouble sleeping, jaw discomfort, difficulty eating and an unattractive smile.
If any of your symptoms are severe pain or bleeding, it could be a dental emergency and you should contact your dentist immediately.
There is no need to have to live with these issues, because of the several restorative dental treatment options available to you.
A dentist can perform procedures to reduce the discomfort and pain that you experience.
The most common options are crowns, bridges, root canals, fillings, dentures, and dental implants.
Below are the top seven benefits one gets with restorative dental treatments. A qualified dentist can determine which restorative dental treatment option is best for your particular oral health condition.
Restorative dental treatments can improve the appearance of your smile. For instance, if you have rotted or missing teeth, you can replace those teeth with artificial teeth by wearing dentures.
Your smile will look 100% natural with the dentures in your mouth. No one will be able to tell the difference.
If you only need to replace one or two teeth, a dental implant can replace those individual teeth only.
Dental implants are not removable, which makes them a better option than dentures for sustaining your appearance at all times.
Gum disease and misaligned teeth can cause you to feel discomfort in your mouth and jaw muscles.
If the problem persists, the jaw discomfort will turn into pain. Then you will have trouble sleeping, frequent headaches, trouble eating and all kinds of unpleasant experiences.
Restorative dental treatments are available to realign your teeth and eliminate pain and discomfort.
Sometimes a simple tooth straightening or filling procedure is needed. However, in more severe cases, you will need dental implants or bridges to remedy the pain.
Dentists will always look for ways to save your teeth and restore their strength. Tooth extraction is always the last option on the table.
But if your teeth are too severely decayed or damaged, then an extraction is the only way to salvage your oral health.
You should visit your dentist and request restorative dental treatments before your oral health gets worse.
The dentist can use crowns and fillings to preserve your remaining teeth and prevent the need for extractions.
Your digestive system depends on your teeth and mouth to produce small food particles that can be processed quickly.
If you have missing teeth, you will not be able to chew your food correctly. This will have ramifications for your digestive health in the future.
It is better to resolve the problem as early as possible. Restorative dental treatments will improve your ability to chew food, which will preserve your digestive and bodily health.
We often do not think about how our teeth contribute to our ability to speak words and sound out syllables.
If you have more than a few missing teeth, it will make it more difficult for you to speak clearly.
Since we all need to speak clearly in our social and professional lives, you can restore your speech function by utilizing restorative dental treatments.
Once your missing teeth get replaced, you will immediately notice how much better you can speak.
People often associate the condition of someone’s teeth with their age. If a person has good teeth, other people will assume they are at least relatively young.
Along with a bright and beautiful smile, restorative dental treatments can make you look several years younger. Who does not want that?
Our smiles have a significant impact on our level of self-confidence. If you have missing or decayed teeth, you can regain your self-confidence with restorative dental treatments.
You will no longer hide your beautiful smile in public. A perfect smile can improve your social life and help you succeed in your job.
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