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Five Reasons to Replace Missing Teeth with Dental Implants

Sep 26, 2022 | Dental Implants

Tooth loss stems from a variety of causes, such as tooth decay, gum disease, injuries, or other oral health issues. Missing teeth should be replaced as soon as possible in order to preserve jawbone health and prevent other possible complications. Neglecting to replace teeth may lead to:

  • Dramatic changes in appearance and confidence
  • Jawbone deterioration
  • Jaw joint pain (TMJ)

In order to correct tooth loss, you need a dental implant (or multiple dental implants) to replace the missing teeth. We have listed the top 5 reasons why you need to replace missing teeth with dental implants.

1. Traditional Restorations Like Dentures Are Uncomfortable

Traditional dentures can be extremely uncomfortable. They tend to shift and slide around, cutting into the gums or causing you to gag. Dental implants are secure and steady, they will not move, and they will not cause you to be uncomfortable. After dental implants have fused with your jaw bone, you will not even notice a difference between the implant and a natural tooth.

2. Missing Teeth Will Make You Look Older Than You Are

Missing teeth can dramatically alter a person’s appearance. A much less than perfect smile can cause people to be uncomfortable about smiling, shy away from social situations, or cover their mouth. Missing teeth can also cause more dramatic appearance issues the longer restoration treatments are avoided. Teeth can shift into missing tooth gaps, the face may look sunken, the jaw line may move, and in general make a person look older than they really are.

3. Your Jawbone Will Begin To Deteriorate And Weaken

After losing a tooth the jawbone immediately begins to deteriorate through a process called resorption. The longer a tooth is missing due to extraction, injury or disease, the more deterioration occurs. The jawbone weakens, resulting in greater risk for injury and greater restoration difficulty. The jawbone also becomes noticeably smaller, altering the facial appearance.

4. Your Bite Can Change And Cause TMJ

Gaps left by missing teeth alter your bite and alignment as the jaw closes. This jaw alignment alteration is called an off-bite relationship. Over time the off-bite relationship can lead to acute chronic pain. This condition is called TMJ, which is a reference to the temporomandibular joint.

5. You Can Enjoy the Food And Drinks You Like Again

“After receiving a single tooth implant, Daniel is able to bite, chew and smile with confidence.”

Daniel had the habit of carrying his dentures with him wherever he went. The lack of a tooth affected how he could chew foods, only taking small bites. Hot drinks were an impossibility for him, because they often caused painful blisters. After receiving a single tooth implant, Daniel is able to bite, chew and smile with confidence. He no longer has to remember to carry his dentures around with him, either.

Schedule Your Dental Implant Consultation

For many patients, dental implants are an ideal solution for tooth replacement, as they function like natural teeth better than other dental prosthetics do. Contact our office to set up a consultation with Dr. Mugford to find out if dental implants are right for you.