Missing teeth can impact your self-consciousness and make you nervous to share your smile. However, there are more than just aesthetic concerns when you have missing teeth. Dr. Richard Sousa of East Hills Dental Associates discusses why you should replace missing teeth and the benefits of considering dental implants in Roslyn Heights, NY.
The Impact of Missing Teeth
The first big impact missing teeth can have is on your self-esteem. Particularly if your missing tooth or teeth are in the front of your smile, it may make you hesitant to speak, laugh, or smile in front of people. Missing teeth also contribute to bone deterioration in the jawbone. This can lead to a sagging effect on the face, even when it’s just in resting position.
Speaking or eating may become more difficult when you’re missing teeth. Certain foods that you used to love may not be things you can chew now with your missing teeth. This becomes worrying because there’s a possibility that you may not be getting enough of the nutrients you need due to not being able to eat things. Depending on where the missing tooth is, you may develop a lisp or have difficulty saying certain sounds.
When you lose a tooth you also lose the tooth root. This stabilizes more than just your tooth and the loss of this is what leads to bone deterioration. Your teeth will shift and move, trying to fill that gap and causing more dental issues. Over time, people with missing teeth are also more likely to suffer from gum disease, tooth decay on other teeth, and problems with your bite.
Dental Implants for Missing Teeth
The gold standard for tooth replacement is dental implants. They’re the only method of tooth replacement that replaces the tooth root as well. This actually gives the benefit of helping to stimulate jawbone growth and reverse the bone deterioration. Your face can fill out again, eliminating the sagging face effect bone loss can cause.
Implants are considered the most natural form of tooth replacement because of replacing the tooth root. You get a level of stability that you don’t get with other options. They look and feel the most like natural teeth. You’re able to speak normally and you don’t have to change your diet. You should be able to retain your full chewing and biting ability.
If you’re missing a full arch of missing teeth, a solution called all-on-4 is available. Instead of removable dentures, the denture is anchored to four dental implants in your jaw. With this method, you don’t have to worry about ill-fitting dentures or need to use adhesive to keep them in your mouth. They don’t need to be removed to be cleaned either. Just a normal oral healthcare routine is sufficient.
Roslyn Heights, New York Dental Implants for Missing Teeth
Do you think dental implants can be the solution you need for your missing teeth? Call us or schedule an appointment online!