Lady with a missing front tooth
Humans have 32 adult teeth in total. Since the four “wisdom teeth” are commonly removed, that leaves 28 remaining teeth in the average adult mouth. So it’s natural to think that missing one or two wouldn’t be a big deal. After all, you have quite a few “spares,” right? Unfortunately, it’s not so simple.
The reality is that there are several unanticipated consequences to losing teeth. You may see changes that you never expected in your oral health, appearance and ability to chew. Whether you lost some of your teeth a long time or only recently, a dentist in Spring Hill discusses what you can expect, as well as which dental treatment is the best for restoring your smile.
How Do Missing Teeth Cause Problems?
Here are some of the side effects of losing teeth:
- Smile – This may seem obvious but the effect that gaps in your smile can have on your social and professional life simply can’t be overstated. It’s very important to be able to laugh and smile without feeling self-conscious!
- Inability to Chew – Most of us take our ability to eat anything we want for granted. After tooth loss, you quickly realize how every tooth in your mouth works together to help you chew hard, tough foods.
- Overall Appearance – In addition to your smile, your face will begin to look different after tooth loss. While the changes occur over time, if you compared a picture of yourself before to one taken a few years after, you’ll notice a sagging or sunken-in appearance that wasn’t there before.
- Shifting and Movement – The adjacent teeth on either side of an empty spot will “migrate” and start moving position. For example, a remaining back tooth will start to tip forward towards the front of the mouth, which can then contribute to further problems.
What’s the Best Solution?
In the past, the only available solutions for missing teeth were partial dentures or bridges. These options only replace the crown of the tooth, or the part above the gumline that you can see.
When the root is absent over a long period of time, the body will reabsorb the jaw bone where the tooth once was. This then leads to bone loss and changes in facial structure.
Thanks to modern dentistry, dental implants are an option that replaces the entire tooth, including the root and crown. Because of this crucial difference, implants provide superior stability and function while also preventing loss of bone in the jaw.
In addition, implants are equally beneficial for a wide range of patients. Whether you’ve lost one tooth or all of your teeth, implants can be customized to fit your situation.
If you want a strong and cosmetically beautiful replacement option, consider dental implants in Spring Hill. They’re an outstanding solution that will feel like the closest thing to your own teeth!
About the Author
Dr. Loretta Matic is a general, cosmetic and implant dentist who loves to restore the smiles of her patients with tooth loss. Prior to attending dental school she spent 11 years as a dental assistant, which provided an excellent foundation for her career. She particularly enjoys combining her artistic skills with the latest technological advances to provide exceptional results for her patients. She can be reached for questions through her website, or at (615) 302-1414.