The Negative Effects of Tooth Loss

Imagine the embarrassment of smiling, speaking, or simply chewing your food. These are some of the difficulties people have when they're suffering from when tooth loss. At Bonner Dental Network in Washington, D.C., Dr. Leslie Bonner provides his patients with several treatment options, like dental implants and dentures.

Treatment Options

There are several ways to conceal missing teeth and restore normal functions:

• Dental implants have to be one of the best options. They have more than a 90% success rate and provide much-needed support. Your dentist inserts a titanium post where the missing tooth is and seals the area for about three to six months. This gives the titanium post time to fuse to the rest of the bone. Dr. Bonner then places a screw in the post when you come back to connect a crown above the gumline to the titanium post.
  
  
• Dentures are another option. They are prosthetic devices that replace missing teeth with the support of soft and hard tissues. There are many types: traditional dentures, partial dentures, custom dentures, immediate dentures, implant dentures, snap-in dentures, overdentures, and upper dentures. You should speak with your Washington, D.C., dentist about which option is best for you.

What happens if you don't replace missing teeth?

There are many negative effects of tooth loss. Other than the embarrassment, if you don't replace missing teeth, you risk serious bone deterioration. The jawbone loses bone density and recedes. This makes a person look older and results in an aged appearance. A deteriorated jawbone also risks further tooth loss and eliminates some tooth loss replacement options. If you don't have missing teeth replaced, you also risk difficulty speaking, and chewing and biting food. This is honestly no way to live and you owe it to yourself to have a healthy life.

Need to speak with a dentist?

Dental implants and dentures are only two options but if you'd like to learn more about what Bonner Dental Network can offer, then don't hesitate to contact Dr. Leslie Bonner of Washington, D.C., for more treatment options at (202) 249-9131.