Did you know that sources estimate that approximately 178 million adults in the U.S. are missing one or more teeth? Many experts consider dental implants the ideal way to rebuild after tooth loss, but if you’ve lost one from the back of your mouth, you might wonder if a replacement is truly necessary. After all, why invest time and resources into a restoration that no one is likely to see?
But leaving the gap in your grin can potentially detract from your oral health. Continue reading to learn 3 reasons to rebuild your smile with dental implants sooner rather than later!
Benefit #1: Preserve Your Jawbone
Many people don’t realize that the roots of their teeth play a pivotal role in maintaining their jaws. They typically stimulate additional bone growth each time you bite down that keeps the foundation of your mouth strong and healthy. When one or more goes missing, you can lose up to 25% of the surrounding density within the first 12 months. This process of degeneration can eventually weaken your jaw to the point that it can no longer support your remaining teeth reliably.
Dental implants are the only treatment that can prevent this because they include a support rod that’s surgically embedded in your mouth, which functions like a root. Once it fuses with the bone material, it helps activate your jawbone to preserve your oral health.
Benefit #2: Maintain Your Facial Structure
You might think there’s no need to fill the space in your smile if it’s not overly visible, but unfortunately, leaving it empty can potentially alter your facial structure over time. If you wait too long to replace your tooth, your jawbone can deteriorate and flatten.
This can result in various changes to your facial structure that you might not have anticipated. For instance, the ligaments, muscles, and other tissues connected to your jaw grow slack as it thins, resulting in sunken-looking cheeks or additional facial wrinkles. You might also notice that your lips appear thinner or that the vertical lines in your face seem more prominent.
Benefit #3: Avoid Additional Tooth Loss
If you’re convinced that no serious harm can come from leaving the gap in your grin left behind by your missing tooth, you may want to reconsider. For example, as your jawbone thins, it can eventually become too frail to continue to serve as a strong foundation for your remaining teeth, and you could suffer additional losses that further detract from your smile’s appearance and functionality.
Thankfully, rebuilding your grin with dental implants can help you avoid some common complications that often occur after tooth loss!
Meet the Author
Dr. Anas Alhossin (or “Dr. Al”) is passionate about helping patients improve their daily lives by enhancing their oral health. He earned his DMD degree from the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine and today has 15+ years of experience providing a comprehensive menu of services to meet the needs of people of all ages. He has completed in-depth training and has state-of-the-art technology in the office to place and restore dental implants under one roof. You can request an appointment on the website or call (508) 880-4910.