When a tooth is extracted or lost to an untreated cavity, it can affect your mouth in several different ways. You will certainly experience a decreased ability to chew. If the tooth was in the front of your mouth, it could also alter the clarity of your speech and the appearance of your smile.
As time goes on, you could also suffer orthodontic complications. Each tooth in your mouth relies on the structure offered by its neighbors to help hold it in the correct position. The void left by the missing tooth can gradually cause the neighboring teeth to turn and alter their alignment.
When this happens, you can become increasingly prone to problems like dental attrition, chipped teeth, and dental fractures.
One easy way to prevent these complications is to have Dr. Thinh Ho restore the tooth with a dental bridge. This is an artificial replacement tooth fused to two crowns. It is mounted on the two closest neighboring teeth.
Dr. Thinh Ho will start by examining the adjacent teeth to make sure they are healthy. Then he will use a drill to shape each tooth. This allows room for your dental bridge to be anchored.
At the end of this appointment, Dr. Thinh Ho will cast an impression of the area and secure a temporary crown over the altered teeth. The impression will be sent to a professional dental lab to assist the dental technicians in creating your dental bridge.
A member of Dr. Thinh Ho’s team will call you to schedule a second appointment when your dental bridge is ready. During this appointment, the temporary crowns will be removed and your permanent bridge will be cemented in place with a strong dental adhesive.
If you live in the Lacey, Washington, area and you have lost a tooth, you should call 360-943-4777 to have it restored at Olympia Dental Group.
