TMJ problems can mean frequent discomfort, and difficultly with basic jaw movements. It is an uncomfortable, unpleasant condition. While there is no single reason someone will develop issues around their jaw joints, missing teeth can increase your risk. Not only is tooth loss a cosmetic issue, it can also make it difficult to chew and speak comfortably, and make you more likely to lose more teeth. Your dentist can create, and insert, a dental bridge to fill in an absence in your smile. You could also opt to have a dental implant placed, which will provide the kind of support that your teeth receive from their roots.

Prosthetic Dental Options Available To You

A dental bridge is a construct with a pontic (replacement tooth) in between two dental crowns. The crowns will be fitted onto the neighboring teeth, and will hold the replacement tooth in its position. This is intended to be strong enough to let you use the bridge for tasks like chewing and biting. A dental implant will not require you to modify healthy teeth around a gap. Instead, the implant is put into your jawbone. The bone and implant will fuse, and a restoration will be placed on it. Like with the bridge, the implant is secure enough to be put through all typical dental functions.

Fully Restoring Your Oral Health

If you have developed multiple problems, like TMJ issues and tooth loss, or other conditions, you may be a good candidate to enter into a full-mouth rehabilitation process. Your dentist will determine what corrective efforts will be needed to bring you back to full oral health, and help you determine a schedule for these procedures.