No two denturists are the same. If you have been wearing dentures for a while, you know that no two sets of dentures are the same. Finding a quality, experienced denturist can seriously impact the comfort of your dentures. You do not have to deal with loose plates, gums that are rubbed raw, distorted speech, and the inability to eat your favorite foods. If you have any of these problems, there are a few things that you can try before replacing your dentures. Use what I have learned over my 15 years of wearing dentures to find a perfect fit and optimum comfort in your dentures.
finding comfort when wearing dentures
What's the Danger in Failing to Replace a Missing Tooth?
Priscilla Hansen
If you need to have a tooth removed either due to decay or damage, you may be tempted to just leave that space empty. Especially if you can't see the missing tooth when you smile, paying to replace it may sound silly at first. However, failing to replace a missing tooth will usually cost you more than just money in the long run. Here's a look at three dangers that can come from leaving the space empty.
Bone Loss
The presence of tooth roots within your jawbone keeps that bone alive. The tooth roots stimulate the jawbone, encouraging good circulation keeping the tissue alive. Once the tooth roots are gone, the bone no longer receives this stimulation, and as a result, it tends to start dying and receding. This can cause a change in the look of your facial structure as soft tissue caves in around the deteriorating bone.
If you do decide you want to replace your tooth later on, but you've lost a lot of jaw bone, an implant may not be an option. (Implants are supported by the jaw bone.) Or, you may need an extensive bone graft surgery before you're able to receive an implant. Replacing the tooth immediately is really the best choice.
Damage To Nearby Teeth
When you lose a tooth, the neighboring teeth tend to slowly begin shifting into the empty space. This can disrupt your bite, causing you to bite unevenly on these shifted teeth. As a result, you may experience pain when chewing -- or you may crack or chip the teeth since they're not designed to sustain such pressure on these surfaces.
As the teeth shift, their roots may butt up against other tooth roots. This can lead to toothaches, infections, and nerve damage.
Misalignments
If you had braces as a kid, failing to replace a missing tooth may undo all of the correction that the braces provided. As the neighboring teeth shift into the empty space, your other teeth will also shift slightly. Within a few months, you may no longer be proud of your smile. Correcting the misalignments with braces and other orthodontics is a much larger endeavor than just replacing the one missing tooth from the get-go.
If you've had to have a tooth removed, your best bet is always to have it replaced sooner rather than later. You may have to take out a loan to cover the costs, but this is better than finding yourself with multiple damaged, misaligned teeth a year or two down the road. Click for more information and talk to your dentist if you need to have a tooth replaced.
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