Missing teeth is a serious issue. It may seem amusing for young children, but for adults, it's another story. Aside from being unsightly, it can also be harmful to your oral health.
Replacing lost teeth is so important. That's why dental professionals deem removal as the last resort when saving a damaged tooth.
You might think that leaving the gap empty is okay, but it can only trigger a host of dental issues later on.
- Teeth may shift and leave your bite unbalanced.
Your teeth count on each other to function. They keep each other in their proper position.
Think of it as a domino effect. When you lose teeth, only the adjacent teeth seem affected at first. But left untreated, your whole mouth and even the rest of your body will see the consequences.
Teeth move out of their position, causing an imbalance on your bite and increased pressure for all your teeth.
- You become more prone to decay and gum diseases.
More gaps may appear between your teeth as they lose their proper alignment. Food debris and bacteria can nest in these areas and multiply.
And the problem can only worsen as misaligned teeth also make brushing and flossing harder. When plaque builds up, your gums may become infected.
Failure to replace the missing tooth can also lead to issues on your jaw joints and muscles.
- Your face may appear sunken.
Missing teeth can also cause the jawbone to deteriorate and your facial muscles to sink. You may appear older and feel more conscious.
Your lifestyle can also change in many ways. For instance, eating hard, crunchy, and chewy food that you love becomes a struggle.
Your teeth are designed to help you digest your food properly. Missing one or several teeth can reduce the nutrition your body is getting.
- You may feel more self-conscious.
The discomfort associated with losing teeth can also impact your self-confidence.
You start to feel so conscious. You can't smile or laugh as naturally as you want to. You won't have your picture taken. You may also notice changes in your speech.
How Dental Implants Can Help
Whether you're looking to replace one or an entire row of teeth, implants offer a better alternative than dentures and bridges.
They can replace the whole tooth, from the root to the crown. The implant or the titanium post, itself, isn't visible as it serves as an artificial root. It will eventually fuse into the jawbone, which is why you need a sufficient amount of bone to receive implants.
We wait until the supporting bone and tissues heal, which can take up to six or nine months, depending on your case.
Once bones and tissues heal, we attach the abutment where the crown or artificial tooth is anchored. You'll see a brand-new smile as if you never lost a tooth. The crowns are also easy to keep clean and won't keep you from eating certain types of food.
Once the treatment is completed, your replacement teeth stay in place. You can speak, smile, laugh, and eat to your heart's content. Your confidence gets a boost, and your health improves as well.
Learn More About Tooth Replacement Options Today
Don't ignore missing teeth. The problems that they can bring can only get more inconvenient and costly to fix.
If you have missing teeth, we invite you to book an initial consultation at our dental practice. This visit is obligation-free. We examine your oral health and talk to you about solutions that we can consider.
You decide whether you want to proceed, but we encourage you to get back your smile. Not only for the photos but your overall well-being as well.