If you have a missing tooth, you might be thinking about the best options to replace it. You might even be thinking about not replacing it at all. However, if you have a missing tooth, the long-term effects can be detrimental to the health of the rest of your teeth. Dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth without causing long-term issues with adjacent teeth or eventual atrophy of the jawbone.
What Will Happen If I Don’t Get My Tooth Replaced?
If you only have one or two missing teeth, you might think that it isn’t a serious enough issue to bother with replacing them. However, it’s important to replace even a single missing tooth because empty space in your mouth causes other teeth to move out of alignment. Once your teeth move out of the proper position, the long-term effects can lead to misalignment, abnormal wear, and numerous other problems.
The most common side effects of missing teeth are:
- Teeth moving into the wrong position
- Malocclusion
- Teeth grinding and clenching
- Temporomandibular joint disorder
- Eventually, loss of even more teeth
Having your tooth replaced will prevent these problems from developing and keep your mouth healthy and your smile beautiful. When discussing tooth replacement, be sure to ask your dentist about dental implants.
The Best Options for Tooth Replacement
The best option for tooth replacement is dental implants. Implants replace not only the visible portion of your tooth but also the tooth root. This means that the jawbone will continue to regenerate. If the root is not replaced, the body automatically resorbs the bone that made up the tooth socket. By contrast, dental implants stimulate the growth of the jawbone, keeping it healthy so that you won’t experience the shrunken look stereotypically depicted in older people.
If you are interested in dental implants, contact our team at Fresh Leaf Dental to schedule a consultation and determine if this tooth replacement solution is the best choice for you.
