If you have a wobbly tooth, you very likely have hundreds of thoughts running through your head about what will happen when the tooth falls out. In the same way, if you know you must have a tooth extracted, you may also be worrying about what will happen when the tooth has been taken out. You are right to be worried, but you can rest assured that you are not alone. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australian adults have an average of 4.5 missing teeth because tooth decay and gum disease are very common amongst the adult population and in comparison to similar countries.
You must maintain excellent dental hygiene every day of your life and visit your dentist regularly to keep your teeth clean, healthy and free of decay or disease. By doing so, you can avoid early tooth loss and enjoy a full set of natural teeth for as long as possible. If you have lost a tooth or are about to undergo a tooth extraction, understandably, you may be upset. However, you will be pleased to know that there is plenty of help available, thanks to the significant advances in dental technology.
Dental implants
There are different ways of replacing your missing teeth, depending on your dental health and personal preferences. Dental implants Wagga are the gold standard in tooth replacement. They are especially great for those who have lost their teeth earlier in life. The process itself takes approximately six months, but once in place, dental implants have been designed to last for the whole of your life. Elderly patients who may not wish to endure the long treatment process may prefer removable dentures to replace their missing teeth; however, dental implants are significantly more convenient and become fixed into your jaw so that they look and feel like your natural dentition.
Before you can have dental implants, it is important for the implant site to heal; this means that most dentists will wait several weeks or nearly three months so that your mouth is ready for the implant. Your dentist will also take x-rays of your mouth to make sure there is sufficient healthy jawbone to hold the implant in place and that your gums are healthy.
The condition of your jawbone will determine what happens next. Sometimes, you may need a bone graft, which can help rebuild and strengthen the jawbone, allowing you to get dental implants that may not have been possible otherwise.
The quicker your teeth are replaced, the fewer complications you will face because missing teeth can have an impact on many different aspects of your life. To begin with, tooth loss can affect the appearance of your smile, which can harm your self-confidence as a result and affect your mental health. In some cases, missing teeth can even cause anxiety and depression. It can make you look older than you really are and change the shape of your face.
Missing teeth can also have a huge impact on the rest of your teeth, causing the rest of your teeth to shift and become crooked. They can also cause the teeth above to drop down and the tooth below to grow out from its position because it no longer has the opposing tooth to resist it; this is why tooth loss is described as having a domino effect. One missing tooth can very quickly result in additional tooth loss.
Dental implant surgery
When your dentist is satisfied with the condition of your jaw, gums and teeth, they will book you the surgery. Before this, you will need to have an x-ray examination, which will help your dentist determine the suitable implant size, how many are needed, how the implants should be inserted into your jaw and the exact position for optimal tooth replacement.
On the day of the surgery, you will be given a local anaesthetic, sedation or a general anaesthetic, depending on your needs, your nerves, and how you feel about dental surgery. Your dentist will ensure the procedure is as comfortable as possible. Once the implants are in place within 4 to 6 months, you should be able to replace your missing teeth. Speak to your dentist today to find out more.
Disclaimer
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.