February 5, 2018

If you’ve lost a tooth, you’re dealing with more than just a cosmetic issue. Many people think they don’t need to replace missing teeth as long as they are located out of sight in the back of the mouth. However, failing to replace missing teeth can lead to a variety of surprising oral problems. These problems tend to grow worse over time, so it’s important to receive dental implants from your dentist as soon as possible after you lose a tooth.

Potential Health Effects of Missing Teeth

When a tooth falls out or is knocked out of the mouth, changes happen deep beneath the gum tissue. Your jaw bone relies on your tooth roots to continuously provide it with stimulation and prevent it from degrading. Once a tooth is lost, the bone immediately beneath it no longer receives the stimulation it needs to remain strong and healthy. As a result, it begins to degrade slowly. If missing teeth are not quickly replaced with dental implants that stimulate the bone, you may need to get a bone graft before you can ever be considered for dental implant placement.

Another potential complication of leaving empty tooth sockets unfilled is shifting teeth. When all your teeth are present, they keep each other anchored in place. Once a single tooth is removed, the adjacent teeth naturally want to fill in the gap. As a result, the teeth can shift dramatically over time, altering the bite and affecting the way your teeth fit together.  Dental implants can keep the teeth from shifting by filling in gaps and keeping your remaining teeth in place.

Call Us Today

There is no better time than now to improve your smile with dental implants. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hossein Javid, contact Dr. Smile during regular business hours. We look forward to restoring your dental function and confidence with leading treatment.

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