Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Replace a Missing Tooth
April 30, 2018
Genetic factors, gum disease, tooth decay, and injury are all common reasons that adults in America have missing teeth. While missing teeth can deplete confidence, there are also serious health risks that you should be aware of when you are deciding if you want dental implants or not. At Wrightsville Dental in Wilmington, NC, we encourage you to seek treatment earlier rather than later for several reasons.
Shifting Teeth
Each tooth holds the surrounding teeth in place by remaining in its assigned spot. Once a tooth is missing, the other teeth have more freedom and room to move around and may become crooked quickly. If you want to keep your teeth as straight as possible, seek treatment early with dental implants.
Bone Loss
Not only does a tooth hold its spot with the rest of your teeth, it also has a special spot in the jawbone. The tooth root is secured in the jawbone and stimulates the bone to grow. Once the root is missing, there is nothing there to keep the bone growing, and the jaw can crumble over time. Once bone loss starts, it may be necessary to have a bone graft before an implant can be placed by a dentist. If implants are placed quickly, the metal rod works as a root and stimulates the bone to grow, protecting your jaw shape.
Appearance and Comfort
If you have missing teeth, you may be self-conscious about your appearance. Depending on where the tooth was, you may also have speech problems or discomfort when you eat or talk. A missing tooth can even change the way you speak if it’s in the right place. Because a dental implant functions exactly as a natural tooth would, all of this can be avoided if you seek treatment right away.
Give Us a Call
Dr. Gainer is a dentist who has extensive experience in placing implants and is happy to discuss your options with you. Call his office in Wilmington, NC today to schedule an appointment to replace any missing teeth you have.