As we age our teeth wear, just like our bodies do. We may begin to get aches and pains throughout our bodies, our limbs may feel stiff sometimes, we seem to lose our strength, and we can develop wrinkles and age spots, etc. Similar things can happen to your teeth; they become worn down and weaker, their enamel thins so they aren’t protected as well, they can develop chips, cracks, and other blemishes, or you may lose one, two, or more teeth. Today we answer your questions about dental prosthetics.
Questions and Answers
Question #1: What is a dental prosthetic?
Answer: A dental prosthetic is a custom-fabricated appliance created specifically to replace missing teeth.
Question #2: What kinds of prosthetics are available?
Answer: There are a variety of dental prosthetics to choose from specifically to suit the needs of each patient. Dental prosthetics can be fabricated to replace one tooth, a few teeth in a row, several teeth throughout the mouth that aren’t in a row, or all of your teeth. Prosthetics include:
- Dental bridges
- Implants
- Full dentures
- Partial dentures
Question #3: Why do I need a prosthetic?
Answer: Even one missing tooth can have a negative impact on your life both physically and emotionally. Losing a tooth may not seem like a big deal, but when there is a large space in your mouth and you realize people can see it when you smile, talk, yawn, etc., it can lead to low self-esteem. You can become embarrassed to speak and smile. Chewing without one or more teeth becomes difficult, and leaving a space between teeth can lead to other more serious dental problems. If you are missing a tooth or teeth, you need a prosthetic to:
- Restore your self-confidence
- Restore your smile
- Restore your ability to chew a variety of foods
- Restore your ability to speak without hindrance
- Replace the missing tooth/teeth so your remaining teeth do not shift or drift into the empty space, which will eventually result in misalignment
