It starts with one missing tooth, perhaps a molar in the back that nobody sees. You might think, “I can chew on the other side, it’s not a big deal.” However, your mouth is a finely tuned machine, and when one part is missing, the entire system begins to shift.
The Domino Effect of Tooth Loss
When a tooth is lost, the surrounding teeth lose their “anchor.” Over time, they begin to tilt and drift into the open space. This shifting can lead to:
- Misalignment: Your bite changes, which can cause jaw pain (TMJ) and headaches.
- Bone Loss: Your jawbone needs the stimulation of a tooth root to stay dense. Without it, the bone begins to resorb, which can change your facial shape and make you look older.
- Increased Decay: Shifted teeth create hard-to-reach nooks where plaque builds up.
Your Lakewood Solutions
At Raines Over the Rockies, we offer two primary ways to stop this domino effect:
- Dental Implants: These are the gold standard. We surgically place a titanium “root” into the jaw, which is then topped with a custom-milled crown. It looks, feels, and functions exactly like a natural tooth.
- Same-Day Bridges: If an implant isn’t the right fit for you, we can create a custom bridge in a single visit using our fastmill.io™ technology.