Don't Put Tooth Loss On The Back Burner

    TAMPA, FL, May 09, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Tooth loss is a serious matter that should be taken care of as soon as possible. When it's considered a time-sensitive dental matter, it means that oral health can be impacted as well.

"Tooth loss will directly affect oral health if a patient doesn't consult with a dentist about receiving a restorative device," says Dr. Luis A. Alicea, dentist in Tampa at Your Desired Smile.

Restorative dentistry does one of two things: restores the natural tooth or replaces it. The main goal is to save a patient's natural tooth, but that's not always an option, especially if a patient's tooth gets knocked out or severely infected. Teeth get extracted if an infection or decay has the potential to spread to other teeth and areas of the gum.

Restorative procedures, such as a filling and root canal therapy, can try to remove decay and restore the function of the tooth. If tooth loss occurs, a patient's oral health can still be saved with the help of tooth replacement options.

A dental implant, dental bridge and dentures have one thing in common-they replace a tooth. However, a dental implant is coveted in the dentistry field for two additional reasons. It stops the jawbone from disappearing, and an implant doesn't require any tampering with the surrounding teeth.

Once the tooth root is removed from the mouth, that area of the jawbone loses its support, leading to a receding jawbone. If a dentist inserts the implant soon after tooth loss, which looks like a screw, there is a higher chance that the process of osseointegration (bone fusing to metal) will take place. It can ultimately save your jawbone.

Besides stimulating the jawbone, a dental implant fits right between the neighboring teeth and utilizes an abutment to attach a crown, so an implant doesn't require the dentist to file down the teeth on each side of missing tooth. Filing only occurs when a dental bridge needs to be placed.

Saving the jawbone and neighboring teeth from the effects of tooth loss is the key to improving oral health.

To schedule an appointment with Your Desired Smile, call our Tampa dentistry office at (813) 288-9700. Or go to www.yourdesiredsmile.com for more information regarding other services, office hours and location.

About Your Desired Smile:
Dr. Luis A. Alicea was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, School of Dentistry and then stayed there to pursue his Master's degree and prosthodontics residency. His residency program focused on implant dentistry. Before practicing in the Great Tampa Bay area, Dr. Alicea taught as an Associate Professor in the Restorative and Research Departments at the University of Puerto Rico-he now hold privileges as a professor Ad Honorem.

Dr. Alicea also attained a certification for IV sedation at the University of Alabama, Birmingham. He maintains active memberships with multiple dental organizations.

Media Contact:
Your Desired Smile
Luis A. Alicea DMD, MSD
Prosthodontist
[email protected]
4129 W. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 1
Tampa, FL 33609
(813) 288-9700
www.yourdesiredsmile.com

As seen on: http://www.epressdistribution.com/news.asp?id=3710

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