Palmyra Dentist | Palmyra dental care | | Tooth Replacement

Tooth Replacement

All thirty-two of your teeth work together to help you chew, speak and smile. Immediately after a natural tooth is lost, if it is  not replaced, the remaining teeth can start to  drift out of position. This can lead to cavities and gum disease.

Teeth were designed to support each other. When a tooth is lost, the nearby teeth may tilt toward the empty space, or the teeth in the opposite jaw may move up or down toward the space. This places stress on both the teeth and tissues in your mouth.  Teeth that have tipped are difficult clean, making them more likely to decay. Missing teeth can also affect the way you chew and speak. Chewing on only one side may cause T.M.J. (jaw) pain and problems. You also need your teeth to speak properly, since they help you make the many sounds needed in speech. Any natural teeth that must be extracted, should be replaced as soon as possible to avoid these problems.

Modern dentistry has made tremendous strides in the past few years. Even teeth which are severely damaged can frequently be saved. Unfortunately, some people still lose some or all of their natural teeth due to severe decay, gum disease (the #1 cause of tooth loss today) or an accident.

Tooth replacement today is most frequently done with fixed bridges,  implants  (both these are permanently attached in your mouth) or with removable  full or partial dentures.  (must be removed daily for cleaning)