Every tooth in your mouth is invaluable to your oral health and functions. When even one is missing, it can have devastating consequences for your dental and general health. On the surface, it may seem like a missing front tooth only hurts your confidence while a lost molar makes it harder to chew, but there are larger complications brewing in your mouth. The longer you leave the space empty, the more severe the long-term issues. The only way to stop them is with dental implants in Inwood.
Complications of Missing Teeth
When you lose a tooth, an incomplete smile significantly impacts your self-esteem. You may find yourself hiding your smile when speaking, eating, or taking pictures. This can limit your social and career prospects. Not to mention, each tooth you lose makes it harder to chew your favorite foods. This can cause you to limit your diet. Over time, you can develop nutritional deficiencies that harm your general health.
Unfortunately, the complications of tooth loss do not stop there. When you lose a tooth, you also lose the root. As a result, your jawbone is no longer stimulated, so it begins to deteriorate. As you lose more bone, your remaining natural teeth no longer have the support they need to stay in place. They start drifting toward the open space, creating alignment issues. This makes your teeth more difficult to clean, increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. You also have a heightened chance of developing problems with your temporomandibular joint as your teeth move out of alignment.
As more time passes, your remaining teeth eventually become loose and fall out. You will see more changes to your appearance because your facial structures no longer have adequate support. This can lead to premature wrinkling and sagging of your skin.
Replacing Missing Teeth
Now, your dentist in Inwood has many solutions to replace your missing teeth. Traditional options, like a bridge and crowns, are effective, but they only treat the visible portion of your tooth. This may slow the complications of tooth loss, but it will not stop them.
The only way to preserve your smile is with a dental implant. Unlike any other treatment, a dental implant replaces both the root and crown of your tooth. The implant post acts as a new root to stimulate your jawbone. This stops dental drift to protect any remaining natural teeth. You will also give your facial structures the support they need to maintain a youthful appearance.
Overall, a dental implant is the next best thing to your real tooth to invest in your oral health and your quality of life. A missing tooth does not need to be a death sentence for your smile. You can rebuild it with a natural-looking solution with a dental implant.
About Dr. Mark E. Lawton
For over 20 years, Dr. Mark E. Lawton has improved the smiles of his patients. He offers the latest solutions in dentistry, including dental implants. If you need to replace your missing teeth, contact our office today for an appointment.