Smiling is a simple pleasure that has a positive effect on you and those around you. However, if you have a gap in your smile from a missing tooth, it is unlikely that you will feel like smiling. Even worse, missing teeth can make talking and eating difficult. Additionally, the remaining teeth can drift into the empty space, causing misalignment and the problems that go with it.
Misaligned teeth can increase the risk of periodontal disease because they are more difficult to clean efficiently. Problems with the jaw joints can develop when your teeth aren’t aligned properly, resulting in possible jaw, neck, face and ear pain, as well as headaches. When a tooth has been lost the bone at the site of the missing tooth will no longer be stimulated, so it will begin to melt away.
As you can see, the loss of a tooth can cause numerous problems, but implant dentistry can solve all of that. An implant dentist can replace missing teeth with dental implants topped with crowns. A dental implant is a small titanium post, which is placed in the jawbone in a gentle surgery. It functions as replacement tooth roots and acts as the foundation for an artificial tooth. When topped with a quality porcelain crown it looks, feels, and functions just like a natural tooth and, when properly cared for, can last a lifetime.
Historically, missing teeth were replaced with dental bridges, partial dentures, or complete dentures. Thanks to the advances in modern dentistry an alternative option is available that can do everything that the above-mentioned restorations can do only better! They do not need periodic replacement, as full and partial dentures do, and they don’t make oral hygiene more difficult, as dental bridges do. Additionally, they can help prevent the bone loss that is inherent with missing teeth, something the other restorations cannot do.
When teeth are lost, the bone begins to dissolve (resorb) because, without stimulation, it stops regenerating itself. Due to the implant’s placement in the jawbone, the stresses of chewing are transferred to the bone, just as a natural tooth does. The bone will continue restoring itself, protecting the stability of the surrounding teeth, and preventing the sunken facial contours that are so frequently seen in patients who have lost some or all of their teeth.
If you want to replace missing teeth, or stabilize a denture, with a solution that can last a lifetime, call Eastland Dental at (309) 663-4711 and schedule a consultation today.
Eastland Dental Center is owned and operated by the father-daughter duo, Dr. Mike Milligan and Dr. Marisa Milligan.
Dr. Mike completed his doctor of dental medicine degree from Southern Illinois University in 1978. Dr. Marisa completed her doctor of dental medicine degree from Midwestern University in 2015. Both doctors have logged hundreds of hours of continuing education to stay on top of the latest technologies in dentistry as well as the most current research on the oral-systemic, mouth-body connection to benefit their patients. Dr. Mike and Dr. Marisa are active members and in excellent standing with the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Association, Chicago Dental Society, McLean County Dental Association, American Academy of Oral Systemic Health, and numerous other societies.
Both doctors are avid golfers and have won several national golf tournaments over the years. They are the only father-daughter team in the state to have won the Illinois State Amateur Golf Championship. Dr. Mike in 1974 and Dr. Marisa in 2005.
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