Contact North Bay Smiles in Petaluma to get help Replacing Missing Teeth

Missing teeth can change the shape of your face and make it harder to smile with confidence. However, they can also affect your oral health, and they should be replaced as soon as possible. Dr. Szyperski at North Bay Smiles in Petaluma offers patients various options for replacing their missing teeth. 

How missing teeth impact your health

Though many people are worried about their smile’s aesthetics, missing teeth can impact your overall health and well-being. Your mouth is designed for chewing your food to make it easier to digest, and every tooth has a specific job. When you are missing one, your other teeth have to try to make up for it. This can add extra stress to your teeth and jaw, which can lead to fractures and TMJ pain over time. It can also cause indigestion if your food isn’t chewed well enough.

Additionally, missing teeth can cause other teeth in your mouth to shift around, making them more susceptible to decay and gum issues, as well as changing the appearance of your smile. Missing teeth also lead to bone loss in your jaw, causing a shrunken or sagging face. 

Treatments for missing teeth

There are multiple options for treating missing teeth. Dental bridges use adjacent teeth to anchor a prosthetic crown. This will keep your teeth from shifting and allow you to chew and speak easily. These sturdy restorations can last a long time with proper care, but they aren’t recommended for patients at risk of losing additional teeth. 

Partial dentures are a cheap, flexible alternative to dental bridges, and they can replace several missing teeth in different spots in your mouth. They are removable for easy cleaning and designed to fit over your existing teeth for a comfortable fit. They can also be adjusted to replace additional teeth if you need another extraction.

Dental implants offer the best replacement for missing teeth. They are the only option that replaces the entire structure of your tooth. They will keep your teeth in place and provide stimulation for your jawbone to prevent bone loss. Most people are good candidates for dental implants, but the treatment plan will take a few months. Dr. Szyperski can go over your options and help you decide the treatment plan that works best for you. Contact our office in Petaluma, CA, today at (707) 306-8001 to learn more about replacing missing teeth.

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