The month of May has been designated “Better Speech & Hearing Month” by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Why would this be of interest to dental professionals? Because teeth are vital for good speech, and missing teeth can make it very hard to speak properly.
Speech is all about sounds, and forming sounds correctly requires proper positioning of oral structures such as the lips, tongue and teeth. For example, there are some words that are almost impossible to pronounce correctly without touching your tongue to your teeth. In fact, one of the hardest words to say without teeth…is teeth!
Missing teeth can affect speech indirectly as well, by reducing self-confidence. People who are missing front teeth often develop the habit of talking behind their hand or mumbling to avoid revealing the gap in their smile. Not being able to speak clearly and confidently can affect not only your appearance, but also your job prospects and social life. So what can you do about missing teeth?
Dental implants are today’s preferred tooth-replacement method. Implants are small titanium posts that are inserted in the jaw bone beneath your gums. They serve as “roots” to hold realistic-looking prosthetic (artificial) teeth in place. Implants can be used to replace one tooth, a group of teeth, or an entire row of teeth (upper or lower). Sometimes a dental implant can be placed the same day a failing tooth is removed so that you won’t need a second surgical procedure.
The healthy natural teeth on either side of the gap can also be used to support one or more replacement teeth. This method, called bridgework, can be used to replace a single tooth or several teeth in a row. Another option is removable dentures, which do not stay in the mouth all the time.
Each of these options has its benefits and risks. We’d be happy to discuss all of them in detail and help you decide which would be best in your own situation. To learn more about tooth replacement, please contact us or schedule a consultation. You can also read the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Dental Implant Surgery” and “New Teeth in One Day.”
Comments:
Our Office
Gina Piccioni, D.M.D. and John G. Hartmann, D.D.S.
River Forest, IL Dentist
River Forest Dental StudioOur Blog
Archive:
- 2021
- 2020
- November (5)
- What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?
- The Different Types of Cosmetic Dentistry
- That Energy Drink You Take for a Boost Might Be Hurting Your Dental Health
- A Mild NSAID May Be All You Need To Manage Discomfort After Dental Work
- You Don't Need to Pass a Football Like Patrick Mahomes to Remove a Loose Baby Tooth
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
- 2010
Tags
- wisdom teeth (5)
- cosmetic dentistry (40)
- smile makeover (11)
- pediatric dentistry (15)
- thumb sucking (3)
- sinus surgery (1)
- dental implants (20)
- teeth whitening (11)
- veneers (20)
- oral health (59)
- root canal (6)
- baby teeth (2)
- crowns (5)
- oral hygiene (33)
- bad breath (6)
- common symptoms (8)
- tooth decay (19)
- sports dentistry (4)
- mouthguards (12)
- dental injuries (7)
- brushing (1)
- missing tooth (3)
- replacing teeth (3)
- dental implant (7)
- oral sedation (1)
- sedation dentistry (3)
- dental anxiety (3)
- snoring and sleep apnea (1)
- bonding (2)
- chipped tooth (5)
- tooth colored fillings (2)
- fillings (3)
- tmd (3)
- tmj (3)
- chewing gum (2)
- xylitol (1)
- celebrity smiles (65)
- nightguard (1)
- grinding teeth (1)
- sealants (2)
- sensitive teeth (3)
- dentures (8)
- periodontal (gum) disease (2)
- dental injury (7)
- dental emergency (3)
- sleep apnea (2)
- snoring (2)
- prepless veneers (1)
- tooth loss (2)
- bone grafting (4)
- tongue scraper (1)
- dental health tips (1)
- dental emergencies (4)
- dental hygienist (1)
- dental hygiene (3)
- periodontal disease (4)
- gum disease (15)
- diabetic (1)
- oral cancer (1)
- heart disease (2)
- tooth decay quiz (1)
- cambra (1)
- fun dental facts (1)
- nutrition (7)
- sugar (1)
- power bleaching (1)
- pediatric care (2)
- pregnancy (1)
- tooth wear (1)
- grinding (1)
- loose dentures (2)
- overdenture (2)
- crown (1)
- teeth grinding (3)
- cracked tooth syndrome (1)
- tooth sensitivity (1)
- invisalign (1)
- clear aligners (3)
- orthodontics (4)
- braces (9)
- orthodontic treatment (18)
- dental specialists (1)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- tooth grinding (1)
- partial dentures (1)
- ulcers (1)
- canker sores (1)
- Dental Implant Restoration (1)
- First Dental Visit (1)
- cosmetic gum surgery (2)
- x-rays (1)
- retainers (3)
- Whiter (1)
- tooth extraction (2)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- mouth sores (2)
- dental bonding (2)
- reshaping (1)
- contouring (1)
- gummy smile (2)
- tmj disorders (1)
- root canal treatment (7)
- laser dentistry (1)
- bacteria (1)
- fluoride (2)
- flossing (1)
- chipped teeth (1)
- toothpaste (1)
- dental crowns (3)
- restorative dentistry (1)
- tooth contouring (1)
- tooth reshaping (1)
- diabetes (1)
- antibiotics (1)
- topical fluoride (1)
- tooth pain (3)
- porcelain veneers (4)
- cancer treatment (1)
- toothbrush (2)
- extractions (3)
- retainer (1)
- loose tooth (3)
- Removable Dentures (1)
- Missing Teeth (2)
- shingles (1)
- Emergency Dentist (1)
- gum surgery (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- lingual braces (2)
- gum recession (2)
- dry mouth (2)
- bridge (2)
- gerd (1)
- removable partial denture (1)
- smoking (1)
- dental care (1)
- partial denture (1)
- Dental Visits (1)
- Dental Check-up (1)
