How concerned should you be about tooth loss? Well, even the loss of one tooth could mean trouble for your oral health and the stability of your smile. In today’s blog, your Livonia, MI, dentist talks about the potential risks of missing teeth, and why we may suggest replacement with advanced dental implants.
The Causes of Missing Teeth
What makes someone lose their natural teeth? Factors vary of course, but common causes include a severe injury to your face or jaw, such as a sports accident. You could also develop a severe case of tooth decay or infection that causes a missing tooth unless treated. The most common cause is gum disease. The advanced stage of the disease, known as periodontitis, could destroy the tissues connecting your teeth and gums. Teeth become loose and eventually, fall out. When this occurs, the health and function of your smile, as well as overall esthetics, could suffer.
The Impact on Oral Health
When you have a gap in your smile, this could cause surrounding teeth to drift from position and cause the onset of dental misalignment. Uneven teeth alone have been shown to increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. For others, the strain on the jaw joints could mean the onset of TMJ disorder and bruxism, painful jaw joints disorder linked to damaged teeth, jaw pain, and headaches. You could also be limited in what foods you eat, limiting nutritional intake. Problems speaking could occur as well! Finally, the body will suspend the flow of calcium and phosphates to your jawbone. Without these nutrients, the bone tissue breaks down and leads to further tooth loss and an aged appearance!
Solutions with Dental Implants
A dental implant post is made from titanium, a biocompatible material. When we insert one into your jawbone, the body sees it as a natural root. The flow of nutrients to the bone tissue resumes, preventing a breakdown in mass and density. You also avoid misalignment and other complications. In addition to addressing a single missing tooth, our team could also secure a bridge or full/partial denture that never slips and lasts for decades to come, possibly even a lifetime in some cases! If you have any questions about how we handle missing teeth and help improve smiles with implant dentistry, then contact our team today to learn more.
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT MISSING TEETH?
We would like to help you enjoy a complete smile again with implant dentistry. To learn more about the risks posed by the loss of one or more teeth, then call James Stewart, DDS, dental implant office in Livonia, MI, at (734) 425-4400. We also serve the residents of Farmington, Plymouth, Dearborn Heights, and all surrounding communities.