Missing teeth can have a significant impact on your daily life, your dental health and your overall wellbeing. If you have missing teeth then it is important that you speak to your dentist and find out about replacing your teeth as soon as possible, to not only ease your daily life but also to prevent any further complications.
Gum disease
Tooth loss most often occurs as a result of poor oral hygiene. If you do not brush your teeth properly and avoid the dentist then plaque and tartar build up on your teeth and cause gum disease. Gum disease causes a range of unpleasant symptoms and eventually your teeth become wobbly and fall out of their own accord or the symptoms become so difficult to endure that you have to undergo a tooth extraction. To avoid gum disease, you need to maintain good dental hygiene and visit the dentist regularly so that any signs can be detected early on, before it develops into something more complicated known as periodontitis. Periodontitis affects the supporting structures of the teeth and this is what leads to tooth loss.
To replace your missing teeth you need to find out about dental implants Melbourne. Oral implants offer a permanent solution for tooth loss. The procedure involves inserting a small titanium screw into your jaw to work as a root for a crown or a set of dentures. If you are affected by gum disease, this will need to be addressed first and the dentist will carry out scaling and planing or laser surgery where necessary to restore your gum health.
Bone decay
Bone decay is another cause of tooth loss. Bone decay can occur as a result of periodontal disease, it can occur from underlying health conditions such as osteoporosis, it can be caused by misalignment issues of the teeth, jaw joint misalignment (TMJ disorder) and it can be caused by other missing teeth. Insufficient calcium and vitamin D can affect bone health too.
If the bone is not supporting the tooth properly then your tooth will become mobile and eventually it will fall out. Bone decay can be detected by your dentist when they carry out X-rays of your mouth. Excellent dental hygiene practices such as brushing and flossing after meals, ensuring there is sufficient calcium in your diet, visiting the dentist on a regular basis and enjoying a healthy lifestyle – for example no smoking – can help keep your teeth, gums and bone strong and free of decay and disease.
In the case of bone decay you will require a bone graft before you can replace your teeth with dental implants. A bone graft replaces missing bone by taking bone from another part of your mouth, using an artificial synthetic or natural substitute. A bone graft is carried out under sedation and once the area has healed you are ready for a dental implant. A bone graft allows you the chance to undergo successful dental implant surgery which would otherwise not be possible in patients with significant bone decay. With sufficient bone the implant can be held securely in place and hopefully last for the rest of your life.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.