If you are missing one or more teeth, the end of the year may be the perfect time to make a trip to the dentist in order to take care of your dental issues. Sure, we know it’s a busy time of year filled with lots of gift-buying and other expenses, but if you have a flexible spending account that still has money sitting it at this time of year, you’d be crazy not to put it to good use before you lose it.
Some people tend to neglect dental issues because they think they’re not as critical to address as medical concerns, but the fact is that your dental health has a lot to do with your overall good health. Teeth that are left to decay can lead to infection and abscess, resulting in tooth loss or other concerns. Unresolved issues can heighten gum disease, which has been linked to a host of other medical issues involving the heart and other parts of the body.
Dental Treatments For Missing Teeth
Whether you have already lost a tooth or two or need to take care of badly decayed or damaged teeth, one good option you have for replacing those missing teeth is to have your dentist make a dental bridge for you. This procedure involves creating a false tooth to go in the area where the missing tooth used to be which is attached on one or both sides to a crown that is permanently secured to a natural tooth on either side of the space left by the missing tooth. Dental bridges are one of the most common ways to take care of a missing tooth, but they are not the only option.
If you are willing to undergo a bit more work, you can also consider a dental implant to take care of replacing a missing tooth. This procedure requires that a small titanium rod by surgically implanted into the jawbone to take the place of a natural tooth’s root. As the area heals, the surrounding bone holds the rod firmly in place and then a crown is made to sit over the post. This option takes a bit longer to complete and is also more invasive, but there are numerous benefits to the procedure, including the fact that it keeps underlying bone healthy and strong.
Neglecting teeth or leaving an open space where a tooth has already been lost is never a good option. While cost may be a factor in why people avoid going forward with necessary dental treatments, it’s important to remember that taking good care of your teeth and gums is as important as taking good care of the rest of your body. Some people are lucky enough to have dental insurance that will cover some of these procedures in full or in part, but even if you are not one of the lucky ones, look into how much money is left in your flexible spending account and use it before year-end to take care of necessary dental procedures. Your teeth and overall health will thank you.
For more information about tooth replacement options such as dental bridges and dental implants, contact Park Dental Care in Queens at 718-274-1515.
