Why Should Missing Teeth Be Replaced?
Did you know that replacing missing teeth is incredibly important for more than just cosmetic reasons?
Missing teeth can affect each and every aspect of your life – from your smile to your confidence and even the way you eat and speak.
While replacing missing teeth may be a significant investment, the real cost of living with missing teeth can be even greater.
In this blog, we’ll explore why replacing missing teeth is vital for your oral and overall well-being and the available options for treatment.
Reasons for replacing missing teeth
- Maintain proper jawbone health
Did you know that missing teeth can lead to bone loss in your jaw? Once a tooth is lost, the surrounding bone no longer receives the stimulation it needs from the tooth roots.
Over time, this can result in jawbone deterioration. This leads to changes in facial structure and causes additional dental issues such as tooth loss, TMJ disorders, gum recession, and loose dentures. Dentures aren’t as effective at keeping the jawbone stimulated hence with deterioration, dentures can feel loose over time affecting speech and eating.
Replacing missing teeth with suitable solutions like dental implants can help preserve and keep your jawbone strong and healthy.
- Preserves the alignment of existing teeth
All of your teeth play a vital role in maintaining proper alignment. When a tooth is missing, adjacent teeth may begin to shift or tilt into the empty space, disrupting the natural order of your bite. There will be higher chances of decay since it may be harder to clean your teeth, increased wear and tear as your jaws have to work harder to bite and chew effectively etc.
By replacing missing teeth, you can ensure your teeth stay in their proper positions, promoting optimal oral health.
- Improves chewing and biting abilities
Missing teeth can make it challenging to chew and bite your food properly. This can lead to jaw pain and digestion problems. By restoring missing teeth, you can restore your ability to chew and bite and you’ll be able to enjoy your favourite foods without a worry.
- Improves speech abilities
Missing teeth can affect your ability to pronounce certain words correctly. The gaps caused by missing teeth can alter the airflow, leading to speech difficulties and affecting your communication skills. Replacing missing teeth can help you speak clearly and confidently, allowing you to express yourself without any barriers.
- Maintains your facial structure
Bone loss from missing teeth can cause your lips to sink inwards. As a result, your facial appearance may appear sunken. Replacing your missing teeth will help avoid this condition and maintain your facial structure.
Treatments for missing teeth
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a popular and long-lasting solution for missing teeth. It involves placing a titanium post directly into your jawbone which serves as a strong and durable foundation for a replacement tooth. Implants look and feel just like natural teeth.
Dentures
Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth. They are custom-made to fit comfortably in your mouth and can give you back a functional and attractive smile. If you need to replace all or most of your teeth, full dentures will be the best solution. Partial dentures will be used if you only have one of few missing teeth.
Dental Bridges
Bridges are used to bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. They consist of artificial teeth (pontics) that are anchored to the adjacent natural teeth. Bridges are a non-invasive treatment option.
Implant-Supported Bridge
An implant-supported bridge replaces multiple missing teeth by combining the stability of dental implants with the functionality and aesthetics of a bridge. It is an excellent treatment option when you have several consecutive missing teeth in a row.
To determine if implants are the right solution for you or if you’re exploring your options for missing teeth treatment, consult with one of our experienced dentists at PMD. We will evaluate and carry out a comprehensive examination to provide you with the best treatment options for your smile!