All Your Tooth Replacement Options Explained
Are you missing a tooth — or two or more? Replacing lost teeth is more than a cosmetic issue. Here’s why you need to fill the gap and an overview of all your choices as soon as possible.
Why You Shouldn't Ignore a Crooked Tooth
Some people have major smile flaws that require intensive orthodontic treatment. Your single crooked tooth doesn’t even compare — or does it?
As it turns out, even one wonky tooth can wreak havoc on your oral health, and we’ve seen the consequences firsthand at Dental Art of South Bay.
Experienced dentists Dana Samet, DDS, Bethany Jung, DDS, and Alyssa Nowlen, DDS, offer comprehensive dental services to folks throughout Torrance, California. Here, they explain the consequences of crooked teeth — even just one — and how to fix them so they won’t ruin your oral health.
Why even a single crooked tooth needs treatment
In the scheme of things, a single crooked tooth doesn’t seem like a big deal, but if you ignore it, you’ll eventually discover that it carries several potential consequences.
1. Tooth decay
A crooked tooth overlaps its neighboring teeth, creating tight spaces that make it easy for food to stick and tough for you to floss and clean — a perfect recipe for tooth decay.
2. Gum disease
When bacteria settle into the cramped space between your crooked tooth and your straight teeth, they not only attack your tooth enamel; they also turn toward your gum tissue. As infection sets in, you develop gum disease and may even face receding gums.
3. Bad breath
Trapped bacteria lingers between crooked teeth and eventually starts to smell. Bacteria is the most common culprit behind bad breath.
4. Tooth damage
If your crooked tooth protrudes, it’s susceptible to cracks and fractures if you get hit in the face.
Crooked teeth also meet differently than straight teeth, so you may face uneven wear on your crooked tooth or those it touches.
5. Chewing problems
It only takes one crooked tooth to throw off your bite, and if you avoid chewing on one side or compensate for the problem by altering your chewing, it can lead to digestive problems.
6. Speech problems
Depending on the location of your crooked tooth, it could affect your speech, making it difficult to enunciate certain sounds, like Ss.
7. Self-esteem
Crooked teeth, even a single angled incisor, can affect your self-esteem. You may find yourself shying away from photos or guarding your smile if you feel self-conscious about your crooked tooth. In some cases, low self-esteem can lead to depression.
How to straighten a single crooked tooth
Straightening a single tooth is faster and easier than correcting a fully misaligned mouth.
Although traditional orthodontic treatments like braces could do the job, it’s probably overkill. Instead, we can fit you with Invisalign® clear aligners that are simple to snap on and off during your treatment.
One of our most popular services for fixing solo crooked teeth is veneers, tooth-colored porcelain shells that we adhere to your tooth to reshape and resize it permanently.
If your crooked tooth stems from a crossbite, we may recommend a palate expander to widen the roof of your mouth and create space for your crooked tooth to straighten.
Don’t let a single crooked tooth ruin your smile and oral health; call Dental Art of South Bay today.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Tough, Set-In Stains? Consider Veneers
Professional teeth whitening can brighten a dingy smile, but deep-set stains call for next-level treatment. Here’s how veneers transform your smile from stained to stunning.
Signs Dentures Aren’t Working for You
Have you had it with your dentures? Are you tired of sacrificing your favorite foods and spending time cleaning your false teeth? Great news — there’s a better way. Here’s how to tell it’s time to kick your dentures to the curb.
Is My Bite Problem Too Severe for Invisalign®?
Invisalign® has become a household word that gets teens and adults excited rather than resistant about orthodontic treatment. While this revolutionary system solves multiple problems, a few exceed its capabilities. Here’s what you need to know.
4 Popular Kinds of Dentures
Whether an accident knocked out your teeth or decay loosened them until they fell out, you can’t chew, speak, or smile without a problem. Fortunately, dentures can replace your missing chompers and make your mouth look and feel normal again.
When to Consider Sedation Dentistry for Your Teen
Teenagers have enough stress in their lives these days; going to the dentist doesn’t have to add to it. If your teen experiences anxiety or fear at the thought of getting their teeth checked, our sedation dentistry might be the solution.