Missing teeth could also increase your risk of an oral infection, which could spread to the rest of your body and cause more serious issues. When you lose a tooth you also are leaving an exposed area of gum tissue open. This tissue could become infected through simple actions like chewing food. So, Are Missing Teeth Possibly Dangerous To My Health… Unfortunately, Yes.
What happens if you lose a tooth and don’t replace it?
Missing teeth are a major cause of bone loss
Your teeth help to support and stimulate the bone of your jaw. When a tooth is gone, its natural roots are no longer embedded in your jawbone and bone loss can occur. In addition, the void caused by the missing tooth can change the shape of your mouth, which puts the neighboring teeth and gums at risk of tooth decay.
The vacant space between your teeth can also cause the neighboring teeth to shift out of their natural position to fill the gap. Although this process of shifting can occur naturally or because of gum recession or tooth decay, missing teeth will accelerate the process. When your teeth move out of their normal positions, your bite is affected and may become misaligned. That will make it difficult for you to eat and drink properly, and it may also trigger headaches, muscle pain, TMJ, and accelerated wear-and-tear of your remaining teeth.
The Answer is Dental Implants – What are the benefits of dental implants?
In addition to providing a natural-looking, permanent replacement for a missing tooth or teeth, dental implants also support bone health. The titanium post replaces the tooth root, stimulating healthy bone growth and preventing demineralization, which weakens your jawbone and contributes to future tooth loss.
Implants also help your remaining teeth stay in the correct positions. If you’re missing a tooth, your other teeth may shift into the available space, which causes abnormal spacing and could cause your teeth to twist.
Prevents Bone Loss
When you lose teeth, you also tend to lose bone mass in your jaw. Your jawbone needs the stimulation it gets when your teeth connect to maintain its mass. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that also replaces that jaw bone stimulation, helping to prevent bone loss.
Matches Your Natural Teeth
Dental implants come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Your dentist will work with you to design implants that match the color of your surrounding teeth and fit perfectly in the gap. No one but you and your dentist will know which teeth are implants.
Restores Bite Force
Because dental implants are anchored into your jaw with a titanium post that replaces the tooth root, they allow you to bite with more or less the same amount of force you could use with your natural teeth. Other tooth replacement options do not restore nearly as much of your bite force because they sit on top of the gums and aren’t anchored in place.
Prevents Changes In the Shape Of Your Face
Your teeth help support your facial structure. When you lose teeth, you lose that support, which eventually causes your face to change shape, making you appear older. Dental implants provide similar support for your face as your natural teeth, preventing it from changing shape.
Dean Cosmetic Dentistry is focused on delivering the highest quality level of dental care, while offering an exceptional personalized experience. We believe in combining state-of-the-art dental technology with proven dental treatment and techniques, in order to offer our patients the absolute best technology available and the best care, that is both cost-effective, and time efficient. A leader in technology with cosmetic dentistry this Knoxville dental center stands apart from the crowd. Our staff and technology truly make us different. 1 visit crowns, dental implants & gentle laser dentistry are just a few dental advances we offer. Giving you your best smile is our goal 865-539-1119. www.deancosmeticdentistry.com New Patients Welcome