"Well, you know Doc, it's just a back tooth. No one will see it so I'll just get rid of it.  It's not going to make a difference."  Unfortunately we hear this type of comment at Belle Meade Family Dentistry more often than you would think.

The plain truth is that it will make a difference.  At Belle Meade Family Dentistry we know the loss of just a single tooth can set a course that can destroy an entire mouth.  "Well, if that's true, tell me more. I sure don't want to lose the front ones that I smile with."

We often answer with an explanation that teeth will drift and tip into a space that is created by missing teeth.  Just like two gears of a car that are not properly aligned, pretty soon you've got a whole lot of problems.

"Well, I don't like that. What can I do?"  If it sounds like I've heard this conversation a few times, you're right.  If I'm going to keep a patient happy, I need to provide options at this point.

One of the options we often discuss at Belle Meade Family Dentistry would be a dental implant. This is the replacement of a tooth with a false root that is surgically placed.  We then carefully construct a dental crown to replace the missing tooth, to prevent teeth from shifting and thereby causing further tooth loss.

If you have any questions about missing teeth and possible implant treatment, please call our office at (888) 393-3902.

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