Can You Get Veneers with Missing Teeth?
Today there are numerous dental treatment options for replacing missing teeth. With so many different treatment options available, it’s easy to become confused or overwhelmed if you are trying to figure out which treatment option may be right for you. If you have friends or family who have veneers you may be curious if you can get veneers to replace your missing teeth. Below is more information on dental veneer treatment and alternative treatments to replace missing teeth.
Can Veneers Replace Missing Teeth?
The easy answer, is dental veneers are not a treatment option for replacing missing teeth. A dental veneer is designed to be attached to an existing tooth. The dental veneer treatment is a cosmetic dental treatment where a thin porcelain cap is bonded to the front of a tooth. Dental veneers are used to treat tooth discoloration, stains, chips or cracks that cannot be fixed with tooth whitening.
Why Replace Missing Teeth?
If you have a missing tooth it is easy to dismiss it, especially if it is in a place that is not easy to see when you smile. It is actually really important to replace missing teeth to avoid health issues down the road. Missing teeth can affect your overall oral health in many ways including but not limited to:
* Shifting teeth: A missing tooth will allow room for your other teeth to move and shift which can cause bite misalignment. Bite misalignment can cause wear and tear on the other teeth and habitual grinding.
* Crowded teeth: Shifting teeth can also lead to crowded teeth and overtime even periodontal (gum) disease. Crowded teeth are harder to keep clean and can create opportunities for bacteria to build up. Bacteria will eventually lead to gum disease and before you know it, one missing tooth could turn into several missing teeth.
* Jaw bone decay: Overtime, the jawbone can deteriorate if there is no tooth root to stimulate growth.
The Best Treatments for a Missing Tooth
There are many dental treatments available to replace missing teeth. One of the most popular replacement treatments has become dental implant treatment. A dental implant is a metal screw that is designed to act as the artificial root for a replacement tooth. The dental implant treatment usually occurs in three steps. The first step is a minor surgical procedure where the implant is placed into the jaw bone at the site of the missing tooth. Next, a few weeks to a few months are required to allow healing time for the implant to naturally fuse to the jawbone. In the third stage, once the fusion has occurred, an abutment and the artificial crown can be placed on top of the implant.
Benefits of Dental Implant Treatment
There are many benefits of the dental implant treatment. A few of the benefits include:
* Implants are a permanent tooth replacement option
* Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth
* Implants restore the function of the tooth, including chewing and speaking
* Their maintenance only requires your regular oral health routine with daily brushing and flossing