If you are missing teeth, you might be wondering if it is worth replacing them. The answer to this question is yes! There are many reasons why someone would want to replace their missing teeth, and they all have benefits. In some cases, these benefits can take the form of preventing other issues from occurring. Here are five reasons why you should always replace missing teeth:
Maintain Function
Teeth are meant to bite and chew, and without them these activities might become difficult or even impossible, especially if many teeth have been lost. It is also more difficult to bite or chew food that is sticky, hard, chewy, or crunchy depending on the kind of tooth that has been lost. Not only that, but missing teeth can negatively impact speech by influencing airflow.
Prevent Bone Loss
Bone resorption is a process whereby the body leeches bone from the jaw under a missing tooth and spreads it to other regions of the body. It takes place about six months after a tooth is lost because that part of the jawbone is no longer experiencing stimulation from chewing. Bone loss in the jaw leads to an altered facial form in the long term and increases the risk for tooth loss in the surrounding teeth.
Maintain an Even Bite
Even if just one tooth is lost or extracted, the gap created may significantly influence the alignment of your bite. This is because the surrounding teeth will move to take up the space left by the departed tooth, meaning that each tooth will no longer be in its correct position. When the teeth are no longer positioned properly, this also causes the bite the be misaligned. A misaligned bite exerts excess strain on certain teeth, which can lead to early wear or harm. It also places additional stress on the jaw joint and raises the risk of TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder).
Prevent Tooth Overgrowth
The opposing teeth are also affected by a missing tooth, just like the surrounding teeth. Opposing teeth above or below the gap left by a missing tooth may continue to grow larger since there is no longer an opposing force to inhibit growth. As a result, the opposing teeth can become overgrown or excessively long.
Restore Smile
The final incentive to get new teeth is for the sake of your smile’s aesthetic appeal. Not only do we live in a culture that is centered around personal image, there are several negative preconceptions about people with missing teeth. Replacing missing teeth will prevent these preconceptions and improve the look of your smile.
How to Replace Missing Teeth
Our office offers a wide range of treatments for tooth loss that can help improve or maintain your oral health. We also offer a range of dental sedation options so that you can rest easy during your appointment. Our tooth replacement options include:
- Bridges: one or more fake teeth bonded to a dental crown on either side. The fake teeth replace missing teeth, while the dental crowns support the bridge of fake teeth.
- Dentures: a set of fake teeth bonded to a resin base made to fit over the gums. Dentures are held in place by suction and are removable.
- Dental Implants: artificial tooth roots that are placed into the jawbone and used to support a crown, bridge, or denture in order to replace missing teeth. Although not all options for replacing teeth can prevent bone loss, dental implants can.
To Sum it Up:
Missing teeth are a potential problem for the mouth, jawbone, and facial aesthetics. However, there are various ways to replace missing teeth that can help you maintain your oral health while preventing other issues from occurring in the future. We offer dental sedation options so you can rest easy during an appointment and we also provide tooth replacement methods such as: bridges, dentures, or dental implants. No matter how many missing teeth you have, our team of experts will be able to develop a personalized treatment plan that is best suited for your needs.