Sometimes, accidents happen. Maybe you were in a fender bender and the airbag knocked a tooth out. Perhaps you slipped, fell and lost a tooth in the process. No matter what the cause may have been, you have a gap that you didn’t have beforehand.
Missing teeth can make you feel self-conscious and hide your smile, which can alter your social interactions permanently. Before you resign yourself to being the one behind the camera for the rest of your life, know that there is help for you.
Options for You and Your Smile
When it comes to repairing your smile, you have a variety of options, with each one providing a unique solution.
The most common option is dental implants. Dental implants are anchored into your jaw bone and once installed, they can be treated like normal teeth. You don’t have to remove them or eat special food. Unfortunately, implants aren’t always a possibility for all patients, depending on their health. As with any surgery, complications may occur, including bleeding; infection; and nerve, sinus or nasal cavity injuries.
The second most popular option are dental bridges. Dental bridges are fully fixed to the roof of your mouth permanently. Like with dental implants, you don’t have to remove them or change your eating habits. The main difference between bridges and implants is that bridges do not require surgery. This option is the best if you have one missing tooth in addition to damaged teeth surrounding the gap.
As we age, unfortunately, teeth can fall out, leaving us with few or even no teeth. Traditional dentures and partial dentures allow seniors to age gracefully without worrying about their smiles for the younger generations to remember them by. Traditional dentures sit on the jaw and are supported by the suction created by your gums. This is not an ideal solution, as they can be uncomfortable to wear, require additional hygiene and can possibly modify your eating habits.
If you are looking for a more comfortable or easier option, consider implant dentures (or implant-secured). Implant-secured dentures resemble traditional dentures because they rest on the gums. However, because dental implants secure them in the mouth, there’s more benefits than traditional dentures. Biting force is improved to some extent, and you won’t have to alter your diet as significantly as with traditional dentures. Plus, you don’t have to worry about them slipping out when you talk or laugh.
Rejuvenate Your Appearance
If you have had traditional dentures for a while and have developed that trademark sag, you may want to consider FOY® Dentures. Dr. Hill is a specially trained dentist on FOY or Fountain of Youth dentures. FOY® Dentures help stabilize and relax jaw muscles for improved fit and a more youthful appearance. They help fill out your lips and mouth, smoothing wrinkles and adding volume where you need it most, using advanced scientific techniques.
So, how do you decide which tooth replacement option is best for you? Talk to a professional, like St. Louis dentist Dr. Hill and his team.
Book an appointment with us today at our office in downtown St. Louis or Clayton, MO. You can give us a call (314) 678-7876 (Downtown St. Louis) or (314) 678-7876 (Clayton) for a convenient appointment.
