If you’ve lost a tooth, be it to decay or injury, it has probably had a considerable impact on your life. You might not be able to talk, eat or smile like you used to, and it most certainly will have given your self-confidence a knock. Chances are you want to do something about it, but what if you don’t? You might be worried as to whether you can find affordable teeth implants. And, if the missing tooth isn’t so noticeable, you can carry on as normal, right? Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. Replacing missing teeth is about far more than making you look better; it’s about protecting your long-term health.
The Consequences of Missing Teeth
A professional dental implant dentist will be able to talk you through the consequences of having missing teeth. As we’ve mentioned, it’s about far more than how you look. Once you have a missing tooth, it can result in a considerable variety of knock-on problems:
- Shifting teeth – once you have a gap in your mouth, your remaining teeth will start to move into it. This can cause misalignment between your teeth, which will affect your bite.
- Poor oral hygiene – if your teeth become misaligned due to a missing tooth, it can make it harder for you to clean them. In turn, this can lead to a greater risk of you developing decay and gum disease.
- Jaw bone loss – you may think your jaw is a permanent structure, but it actually relies on your teeth to keep it healthy. When a tooth is missing, the bone can start to deteriorate, and in time the remaining teeth can become affected.
- Facial changes – if your face doesn’t have the support of a full set of teeth, your lips and cheeks can begin to look sunken, and wrinkles can develop. The result is that you’ll probably look a lot older than you are.
- Headaches – when you have missing teeth, it puts more pressure on your remaining teeth. That means they have to work harder, which can result in an increase in headaches and joint disorders.
- Speech problems – if you have missing teeth, you may find that you begin to slur and stutter when you talk. This is due to the tongue not working like it did with a full set of teeth and can be hugely embarrassing.
What Is Implant Dentistry?
When it comes to missing teeth, you have several options, including dentures and tooth-supported bridges. However, while these treatment options will solve some of the problems of missing teeth, they won’t replace the missing root structure. That means that issues like jaw bone loss and facial changes are still very much a likelihood.
Implant dentistry offers a unique way to replace the root of a missing tooth by placing a titanium post directly into the jawbone. This creates a strong foundation upon which the visible part of a dental implant, usually a porcelain crown, can be placed.
Why Implant Dentistry Is the Answer
Dental implants enable you to combat many of the issues that can occur from having missing teeth. They can stop bone loss in its tracks as the replacement root will fuse with the jawbone and stimulate growth. With your jawbone restored and your remaining teeth kept in place, you can maintain proper oral hygiene and have a fully restored, attractive and functional smile.
If you have missing teeth, speak to your dental implant dentist about whether implant dentistry is suitable for you. The consequences of not replacing teeth are too serious to ignore. Replace your missing teeth and you can restore your confidence and your smile.
