Dental Implants: 4 Consequences Of Failing To Replace Lost Teeth
Anyone can lose their teeth, regardless of age or social status. Young adults and teenagers also lose teeth due to periodontal diseases, physical trauma, and accidents. If the gap is not easily visible, you may be tempted to leave it unaddressed. However, finding replacement options is not just a cosmetic solution. So, should you get dental implants? The following are the dangers of failing to replace missing teeth with dental implants.
1. Crooked Teeth
Whenever you have a gap in your gums after losing a tooth, other adjacent teeth begin to shift, trying to fill the space. As a result, your once-straight line of teeth could now become crooked, presenting other dental issues. Misaligned teeth are hard to clean and more vulnerable to decay. They also affect your facial appearance, lowering your self-esteem. Therefore, you should visit a dentist for dental implant placement before your teeth become misaligned.
2. Bone Deterioration
Teeth roots stimulate the jawbone to maintain its healthy density and mass. When you lose a tooth and don't replace it, the bone underneath slowly deteriorates and becomes weaker. Severe bone loss can affect your facial appearance, making you look older than your age. A weaker bone also fails to support adjacent teeth, so they could start falling off. Therefore, you should get a replacement as soon as possible to protect your bone. This lowers the overall treatment costs since patients with severe bone loss might need to undergo bone graft surgery before implant placement. Therefore, you can avoid the trouble by getting the implants ASAP.
3. Poor Nutrition
Every tooth in your mouth has a function. For instance, the canines tear off flesh while the premolars crash food into sizeable particles before swallowing. When you lose teeth, your ability to chew food may be limited. You might even avoid certain types of food and cheat yourself out of nutritious foods such as fruits, nuts, and red meat. However, you can visit a specialist for dental implants. Although you may be restricted from chewing hard foods after surgery, you'll eat whatever you want after treatment.
4. Dull Smile
Missing a tooth affects your self-esteem. You generally avoid smiling in public. However, you can restore your confidence and smile through dental implant surgery. The replacement functions and mimics a real tooth, so no one will know they are not.
These are the consequences of failing to replace teeth with dental implants. If you lost a tooth due to an accident or other reasons, visit an implant dentist. They will examine your condition and formulate the best implant treatment for you.
For more information about dental implant treatment, contact a professional.