Do you know what you should do if you’re missing teeth? Or if one of your children loses a tooth? If you’d have the gap filled as soon as possible, good for you. Leaving a space in your smile can lead to a number of serious problems. However, there are a few things you should know about dental restorations and the gaps in your smile.
For example, did you know that shouldn’t let your child get an implant until they are teenagers? You see, a boy’s jaw won’t fully develop until they are seventeen while a girl’s jaw won’t finish developing until they are fifteen. If your child is given an implant before there jaw is developed, they could suffer permanent damage. Fortunately, there are other options in the meantime. For instance, you can use partial dentures or a space maintainer. It is important to replace missing teeth because children missing teeth can damage self-esteem and interfere with younger children’s permanent teeth coming in.
Conversely, for adults—whose jawbones are already developed—missing teeth can make dental hygiene more difficult, which can lead to gum disease. Similarly, if you have a gap in your smile, your remaining teeth can shift position. This change occurs because the structure under the tooth weakens and wears away if it has nothing to support. However, if you aren’t a good candidate for implants, there are other options you can consider. For instance, you might prefer—or be a better candidate for—a bridge or dentures. Like implants, both of these restorations are made to match the appearance of your smile and to restore your ability to chew and speak comfortably.
If you would like to learn more, please feel free to contact us at 334.377.3778. Dr. Letitia M. Williams and our team are excited to hear from you soon.