A missing tooth is bad news. Not only is it cosmetically unappealing, a missing tooth affects chewing function and can alter the structure of the mouth long term. Here are some reasons why you should replace missing teeth.
TEETH CAN SHIFT AND BECOME UNSTABLE
Teeth act as a cohesive unit. When all are present, they keep each other stable and in line. A missing tooth can cause the surrounding teeth to shift and even loosen. Shifting teeth can change one’s bite and potentially lead to gum disease and tooth decay.
MISSING TEETH CAN AFFECT YOUR APPEARANCE
According to the American Dental Association, a missing tooth can make you look older as the loss of a tooth can cause the bone to deteriorate and the muscles to droop over time. Replacing a missing tooth helps preserve the bone in that area, avoiding any unnecessary changes to one’s face.
TMJ DISORDER
The muscles that help you chew and rotate your jaw are called temporomandibular joints (TMJ). A missing tooth could potentially alter the muscles and their structure and result in significant pain.
LOWER SELF-CONFIDENCE
No matter how you put it, a missing tooth is no fun. A missing back tooth affects your ability to chew. A missing front tooth affects your outward appearance. Both can put a damper on your self-confidence, leading you to question the foods you can eat or how others perceive you when you smile. Missing teeth can potentially alter speech patterns as well, which can also lead to insecurity.
As we age, missing teeth become more and more common. However, it’s not something that we have to live with. Advancements in dental technology in the form of dental implants make it easy to replace missing teeth in a way that fully restores the form and function of your mouth.
Dental implants are secure and look, feel, and function just like real teeth.
Dr. Richard Casteen and Dr. Robert Willis of the Center for Implant Dentistry have over 60 years of combined dental implant experience and have completed over 10,000 implant cases. They also offer free consultations, complete with CT scans.
Don’t let a missing tooth disrupt your life. Restore your smile with dental implants today!