If you are one of the 120 million Americans that the American College of Prosthodontists estimates is missing at least one tooth, you may feel too embarrassed to smile fully, laugh or even speak around others. However, a missing tooth can impact more than just your appearance and self-confidence – a gap in your smile can also negatively affect your health. Below are a few important reasons why you should not delay getting dental implants in Severna Park.
Health Impacts of Missing Teeth
Even if you are only missing a single tooth, the void left between your remaining teeth can have a serious negative impact on your oral health. If you wait too long to replace a missing tooth, you could experience one or more of the following:
- Dental Drift – Teeth can slowly drift over time into the space left open by a missing tooth, which can make it more difficult to practice good oral hygiene and can lead to bite problems.
- Excess Wear and Tear – Bite problems that result from a missing tooth can also place added pressure on your remaining teeth, causing them to become extra sensitive or even misshapen due to excess wear and tear.
- Sunken Face – Teeth help stimulate and support the jawbone, so when a tooth goes missing, the jawbone can atrophy as a result – just like an unused muscle will slowly shrink away when not used. Your face may begin to appear more sunken and aged since there is less bone to support its shape and structure.
- Poor Nutrition – Missing one or more teeth can make it difficult to consume the nutrition your body needs. That is because missing front teeth makes it harder to break off bites of fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots, while a missing molar can make it harder to grind up tough foods like meat.
How Dental Implants Can Help
Dental implants can help fill in the gaps in your smile and prevent all the problems listed above. Made from a screw-like titanium post that is surgically placed into the jawbone, dental implants fuse with the bone to mimic the natural tooth root structure. In this way, dental implants are able to provide a strong, sturdy base for a new artificial tooth.
Patients often choose dental implant treatment for the following reasons:
- Maximum Support — Implants offer nearly the same chewing power of natural teeth, so you can keep eating all your favorite foods.
- Natural Appearance — Implants are custom-made to match the color of your natural teeth. Your new teeth will blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile!
- Long-Lasting Solution — With proper oral care, dental implants can last several decades or more.
The longer you wait to replace a missing tooth, the more likely serious oral health problems could develop. Talk to a dentist in Severna Park today about whether dental implants are the best solution to restore your smile and preserve your health.
About the Practice
The experienced and welcoming team at Conklin & Ward Dental Group is dedicated to helping patients achieve and maintain healthy, beautiful smiles. With two knowledgeable general dentists and even an in-house periodontist, they offer comprehensive quality dental care to patients of all ages. If you are missing a tooth and want to know more about dental implants, visit the Conklin & Ward Dental Group website or call the office today at 410-729-9090.