With the global population aging and growing, oral care professionals are witnessing an increase in the number of patients with missing teeth. Unfortunately, most of the people confronted with this issue don’t seem to understand that modern dentistry utilizes innovative treatments to restore the normal function, aesthetics, comfort, and overall health of patients with missing teeth. What is worse is that postponing the replacement of a missing tooth could lead to serious conditions in the long-run.
The impact of missing a tooth is more extensive than you think!
By far, the most obvious consequence of missing teeth is the unaesthetic appearance. After all, the way you look has a direct influence on how you feel. Therefore, missing a tooth, particularly in a fairly visible spot, will inevitably have a negative psychological and social impact. In addition to the unsightly gap, few people are aware of the less apparent element. As you age, you lose bone mass, so missing a tooth means that the alveolar bone (tooth sockets) does not benefit from the same amount of stimulation to maintain its form and density.
As a result, the function, aesthetics, and health in that area are all affected; and, the more teeth you miss, the more severe the potential risks you’re exposing yourself to. In fact, dentists point out that extreme teeth loss can lead to jaw fractures, as the bone volume depletes more and more. While some people don’t even bother with back teeth, keep in mind that the front incisors will have to take over the chewing function. However, the front teeth are not designed for chewing and cannot support the weight of the face, so there is a chance they will be pushed forward or squashed over the years.
Implant dentistry can lend a hand in this case.
The only solution to avoid experiencing the debilitating impacts of the bone loss is to consider implant dentistry. As the name suggests, the dental implant refers to a root replacement, to which the dentist attaches a crown. Usually constructed from pure titanium, the implant is biocompatible with the hard tissue and can be easily integrated into the jawbone.
Take note that nowadays, dentists are able to create high-quality crowns that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The crowns can also spare you a lot of headaches. To be more precise, in the case it was to be damaged–or if you want to replace it–the dentist will only remove this part of the implant without compromising the rest of the dental work.
Who can benefit the most from implant dentistry?
While patients with multiple missing teeth often turn to removable dentures, take note that sometimes they can do more harm than good. A complete or partial denture presses on the gums and bone, accelerating bone loss. In addition, the biting force is transferred to the bone surface. Therefore, implants are the optimal dental solutions for patients missing multiple teeth. In fact, they can be used to provide support for the dental bridges. Visit our dental implants page to learn if you are a candidate for this procedure.
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