When you experience tooth loss, it may not always be clear what to do next. In many cases, losing a tooth is the result of another underlying oral health concern reaching its severe stages, such as gum disease or tooth decay. However, just because the tooth is lost doesn’t mean it’s the end of your smile’s concerns. Depending on the cause of it, you may need prompt treatment to stop it from growing worse. Also, you’ll need to replace the tooth to restore its proper role in your bite’s function.

Talk to your dentist about it

The first and most important thing to do when you lose a tooth is to talk to your dentist about it. Schedule a visit as soon as possible so your dentist can thoroughly examine your oral health and the extent of the problem. This includes determine the underlying cause of the tooth’s loss and recommending treatment to address it, if necessary. Your dentist will also assess if any surrounding oral tissues, jawbone structure, and/or teeth have also been affected by the condition that led to tooth loss. Finally, your dentist will consult with you to choose the best option for replacing your lost tooth and restoring your smile with optimal results.

Deal with the cause of it

For many people, dealing with the cause of their tooth loss may not be as simple as undergoing a single treatment. For example, the most common cause of adult tooth loss is gum disease, and by the time a tooth is lost, the damage from the disease can include significant erosion to the surrounding gum tissues, jawbone structure, and more. In addition to treating the disease to get it under control and stopping it from progressing, some patients also require treatment to restore significantly eroded gum tissues and/or jawbone structure.

Replace the tooth to restore your smile

Dealing with the cause of your tooth loss and any additional damage that it may have caused are essential steps in restoring your smile. For your smile, oral health, and bite function to fully regain their integrity, however, you may need to replace the lost tooth as soon as possible. This may be best accomplished with a custom-designed, dental implant-supported dental crown. A dental implant gives your replacement crown similar support to a healthy, natural tooth root, which helps provide improved stability and comfort for your replacement tooth when you bite, chew, speak, and smile with it.

Learn what to do if you’ve lost a tooth

Losing a tooth isn’t something you may be prepared for, but you can take steps to minimize its overall impact on your smile and oral health. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling the Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX, today at (936) 441-4600.