The Reality of Missing Teeth
The number one cause of missing teeth is not decay! Most people assume that’s the reason, but gum disease is the most common culprit.
Symptoms may not be present up until the point of losing your teeth. When it’s treated in the early stages, nonsurgical methods often work well. If left untreated until the infection is in the advanced stages, surgery may be the only option.
Gum Disease Has an Effect on More Than Your Teeth
Medical research has identified a link between gum infection and life-threatening conditions like stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. Dentists now consider gum disease a more serious matter than just losing your teeth. The bacteria occupying the gum tissue travel throughout the bloodstream into other vital organs, causing other potential health problems.
The American Academy of Periodontology
"Studies found periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes and respiratory diseases.”
The Stages of Periodontitis Disease
As the American Dental Association estimates that 80% of the American population has some level of gum disease, this problem is now considered an epidemic. The American Academy of Periodontology reports, “studies found periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes and respiratory diseases.”
Easier and Effective Periodontal Treatment
If you wait to seek treatment and your infection is advanced, surgery will be necessary. But in milder stages, nonsurgical treatments can be used that will halt the disease, as long as better daily dental hygiene is followed. Both of these options are often covered by most dental insurance plans.
Even One Missing Tooth Can Cause Problems
Whatever the reason for missing teeth, it is a good idea to replace any and all missing teeth with implants. Why is it a problem to leave gaps in your mouth where teeth should be? Other teeth will start to shift and loosen, creating the possibility of losing yet another tooth. The space interferes with your ability to chew and may reduce the nutrients obtained from your food. Your diet may change and result in weight gain from eating softer, easier-to-chew foods. Your face can take on a sunken look, which adds years to your appearance. And you may experience embarrassment from slurring words due to absent teeth.
Dental implants are the best solution, as they come up through the gums and look and function just like real teeth. No one will be able to tell they are not your natural teeth – not even a dentist!
Powerful, Effective, and Easy Treatment for Gum Disease
Our doctors are happy to provide patients with a very effective weapon to halt gum disease without surgery or discomfort. It’s called ARESTIN™. This antibiotic is time released at the site of the infection to kill bacteria and allow your gums to return to a healthy condition. You can’t see these invisible microspheres at work or feel them, and the process is pain free.
An Alternative to Gum Surgery
Lasers are an amazing technology that brings very positive results to patients suffering from periodontal disease. We use an advanced laser that is safe, effective, and FDA approved. As a plus, laser treatment can actually increase bone mass in the jaw that has been lost due to chronic gum disease. The procedure is minimal and easy for patients, without pain.