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By Dr. Deluca
Over time, teeth can begin to break down with wear and tear or inadequate hygiene. Almost all restorative dental treatment has limitations and will eventually need to be replaced or adjusted. If the old fillings in your teeth have any dark margins, you may have microleakage. Microleakage can lead to decay and the need for root canals or extractions.
When an extraction is necessary, it’s because the structure of the tooth is too weak to support a crown or restoration, or it may be due to the bone loss and periodontal disease within the supporting gingival tissue (gum line).
Tooth Extractions
If a tooth is removed and not replaced with an implant, denture or bridge, several adverse reactions begin to take place. The first is that the facial structures can change. As individuals age, the facial contours that once supported the lips and cheeks can change with muscle atrophy and the effects of gravity, but when there is added tooth loss, the facial structures change drastically. The outcomes are an increased aging effect with noticeable sagging and gaunt like features.
This may seem superficial, but there is an underlying cause that increases health risks and disorders. The underlying cause is bone loss. When a tooth is extracted, the alveolar sac (bone socket) begins to degenerate and the surrounding jaw structure will as well.
Why does this happen? The degeneration of bone is caused by lack of contact of the teeth. When healthy teeth are correctly abutting against each other, it creates pressure and friction on the teeth and surrounding bone. This pressure from biting helps to regenerate bone on a daily basis, keeping teeth and the jaw bone firmly sustained.
One Tooth Extraction Usually Leads to Multiple
When teeth are missing, and there is nothing for the other teeth to bite against, this is when bone loss takes place, and it can happen quite rapidly in both the upper (maxillary) and lower (mandibular) jaw bone. Consequently, the occluding teeth will either drop down or lift up out of the bone, to try and adequately occlude with their natural bite. If this happens, then a person could potentially lose multiple teeth.
What are the Alternatives?
Dental implants are the ideal resolution; it’s a wise choice to have an implant (titanium post and porcelain crown) placed. In addition to preventing bone loss and facial contour changes, if you leave an open space between teeth, the proximal teeth will shift, trying to fill in the interproximal space.
Dental implants can be used to replace one or multiple teeth. Implants are also a remarkable solution for holding in a permanent bridge or as an anchor(s) for dentures.
If there is significant bone loss, bone grafts can help to regenerate the bone that’s been compromised and assure that the implants are securely supported.
Periodontal Disease
A six- year study, followed patients who had lost more than one tooth, and evaluated their prevalence of periodontal disease. The study, titled “Periodontitis in US Adults” was published in JADA (Journal of the American Dental Association) and the ada.org.
The results were as follows, “An estimated 42% of dentate US adults 30 years or older had periodontitis, with 7.8% having severe periodontitis. Overall, 3.3% of all periodontally probed sites (9.1% of all teeth) had periodontal probing depth of 4 millimeters or greater, and 19.0% of sites (37.1% of teeth) had clinical attachment loss of 3 mm or greater. Severe periodontitis was most prevalent among adults 65 years or older, Mexican Americans, non-
Hispanic blacks, and smokers, and attributed to unexpected tooth loss.”
Dental health and proactive measures are essential. Staying on top of your dental health through cleanings, x-rays, and dental examinations are critical to avoid in-depth procedures and to maintain a healthy mouth that’s free of decay, bacteria, and oral cancer. There are multiple treatment options; however, if you need to replace missing teeth, getting dental implants is the best solution for overall health.
IMPECCABLE SMILES (Lutz, FL)
Dr. Vivian DeLuca, DMD, FAGD, FADIA
“Your dental health is so much more integral to your overall health than most people understand. My passion is helping people live healthier lives by taking care of their teeth!”
With Dr. DeLuca and her team, they guarantee that you will love coming to the dentist! Their unique caring staff will put you at ease and have you laughing in no time! Their office was designed to provide you with the latest state-of-the-art dental technology in a comfortable, home-like setting.
Dr. Vivian DeLuca attends monthly training to be able to offer you the latest advancements in dental treatment options that will suit your exact needs. She regularly performs permanent tooth replacements, single dental implants, implant-supported dentures, mini-implant supported dentures, and custom-fit natural look dentures. Their gentle quality care brings people from all areas of Florida.
To schedule a dental appointment, please call Impeccable Smiles today at (813) 370-1444.
Impeccable Smiles
impeccablesmiles.com
(813) 365-3552
4945 Van Dyke Rd., Lutz, FL 33558
