Missing Teeth: More Than Just a Gap in Your Smile

Missing Teeth: More Than Just a Gap in Your Smile

missing teeth CharlottesvilleAre you struggling with missing teeth? While this is a terrible blow to your self-esteem and confidence, there are lesser known risks related to tooth loss that can affect your oral health, too.  Missing teeth can make it difficult to get the nutrition you need to thrive while also affecting the health of your jawbones. Our oral surgeon treats tooth loss with dental implants, a long-lasting and lifelike tooth replacement option.

Tooth Loss and Your Oral Health

Losing teeth affects far more than your appearance. Our teeth play an integral role in our daily lives. Without them, eating and speaking is very difficult. Without all our teeth to disperse the force of daily oral function, remaining teeth can wear down faster than they should.

Since all our teeth work as a harmonious system, the loss of just a few teeth could seriously affect your ability to eat comfortably. It is not uncommon for those with missing teeth to develop malnutrition. Moreover, tooth loss will lead to the atrophy of the jaws. Without the roots of teeth, the jawbones will deteriorate, which can cause malocclusions, uncomfortable oral function, and accelerated aging.

How Dental Implants Protect Your Oral Health

Replacing missing teeth with dental implants is a great way to safeguard your oral function and your wellbeing. What makes dental implants unique is the fact that they replace the lost roots of teeth, which helps protect bone.

Dental implants are placed into the jawbone through a minor surgical procedure. Once bone stabilizes around implants, they can support permanent restorations (crowns and bridges) or prosthetics (full and partial dentures). This makes implants incredibly sturdy so that they can withstand the forces associated with daily oral function. Eating food with dental implants is easy and comfortable.

Since implants are located in the jaw, they keep the bone stimulated and prevent its deterioration. This helps patients maintain a healthy occlusion. Preserving bone will also help protect remaining teeth.

If you have questions about replacing missing teeth with dental implants, call Charlottesville Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center to schedule a consultation with our oral surgeon.