Why Replacing Lost Teeth Is Important

A variety of factors, such as decay, trauma, gum disease, or congenital defects, can all contribute to permanent tooth loss. Regardless of what caused the dental loss, it is critical to replace missing teeth for a variety of reasons. In this blog post, we will discuss the advantages of replacing lost permanent teeth so that you can avoid the negative consequences of missing teeth.

For Orthodontic Purposes

Each tooth is important to your orthodontic health, and when you have all of your teeth, they help to keep each other in place and stable. Even if you only lose one tooth, other teeth may shift or become unstable, causing problems with your bite (that is, the way your top teeth and bottom teeth line up when you bite together). Losing a tooth in the back of your mouth, for example, can eventually cause gaps or crowding in the front, which patients frequently don’t realise until it’s too late.

To Boost or Maintain Your Self-Esteem

Many adults experience speech and self-confidence issues as a result of missing teeth, making it difficult to smile or laugh with friends, speak publicly, or enjoy themselves in social settings. Replacing a missing tooth can help you feel more at ease when you’re smiling, laughing, speaking, and participating in social, professional, and other public settings.

To Promote Adequate Nutrition

Missing teeth can limit what you can eat. Wherever a tooth is missing, there is no contact between a top tooth and a bottom tooth in that location, making chewing difficult and, in many cases, making food more likely to become trapped. As you lose more teeth, you may find yourself avoiding whole food groups, such as fruits and meat, due to difficulty biting or chewing them. Replacing missing teeth can ensure that you can eat the foods that fuel your body without restriction.

To Prevent TMJ Disorder (and Pain)

Missing teeth can alter the way the jaw aligns at rest and while chewing, resulting in temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ. Replacing missing teeth before pain develops can help to keep the sometimes debilitating symptoms of TMJ at bay.

To Aid Bone and Tissue Health

Bone and gum tissue recede in the area of a missing tooth over time. This deterioration can eventually affect your jaw or the health of adjacent teeth, resulting in decay or subsequent tooth loss, as well as the costs and side effects that come with it. Replacing a missing tooth with an implant actually slows the deterioration process; bone and tissue will form around the dental implant, benefiting the health of your jaw and adjacent teeth.

As a foundation for bridges or partials

When a patient is missing several teeth, replacing a few teeth may be necessary to provide a foundation for a bridge or partial denture. This provides a permanent attachment point for the prosthetic, allowing you to eat and speak confidently. A combination of dental implants and prosthetics may be a better option than full dentures for many patients.

Connect with our expert team to learn more about replacing missing teeth or to begin your journey to a healthier smile. Find your nearest Ideal Dental office today to make an appointment with one of our dentists. You can also learn more about our dental implant services by visiting our website.