When a tooth is missing, it does more than affect your appearance. Missing teeth ultimately damages your oral health. The parts of your mouth such as your teeth, jawbones, and gums, function in unison so that you can enjoy healthy oral function. When a tooth is lost, the structures of your mouth lose an integral component of their support structure. Because tooth loss leads to a number of oral health conditions, our oral surgeon strongly encourages patients with missing teeth to explore their options for tooth replacement such as dental implants.[pullquote] In addition to having noticeable gaps in your smile, just missing a single tooth greatly increases your chances for losing more teeth in the future. [/pullquote]
Oral Health Risks Related to Tooth Loss
In addition to having noticeable gaps in your smile, just missing a single tooth greatly increases your chances for losing more teeth in the future. This is because teeth support each other. When a tooth socket is empty, nearby teeth lack the structural support they require to stay in place. If lost teeth are not replaced, adjacent teeth will eventually slide or collapse into empty sockets.
Beyond an increased risk for further tooth loss, losing a tooth will eventually cause jawbone atrophy and gum recession. This occurs because the roots of teeth no longer exist in the jawbone and these structures tend to withdraw or become re-absorbed by the body.
Renewed Oral Health with Dental Implants
Because dental implants are biocompatible and the closest replacement for natural teeth available, they prevent jawbone atrophy and gum recession along with providing stable support to neighboring teeth. Placing implants consists of surgically inserting a titanium rod into the jawbone and attaching a manmade crown to the rod to replace both the biting surface of a lost tooth and its roots. Dental implants are durable enough so that patients can enjoy their favorite foods.
As permanent tooth replacements, dental implants are not removable like dentures. Instead, patients treat them as they would treat their natural teeth.
To determine if you are a candidate for dental implants, we welcome you to schedule a consultation with our skilled oral surgeon by calling 817-552-3223 today.
