If you need replacements for missing teeth, it’s likely that your dentist in Boston will recommend dental implants. The idea is off-putting to some, but dental implants are often the best option if you’re missing teeth and want to restore your smile to its former brilliance. Let’s look at what missing teeth do to your health, and why implants are such a good option.
Effects of Missing Teeth
Regardless of how you lost your them, missing teeth do need some form of replacement – the sooner, the better. According to the American Dental Association, there are many reasons aside from looks to replace missing teeth. Their absence affects your ability to chew food and speak clearly. And missing teeth can even cause the remaining teeth in your mouth to shift and try to fill the gap left by the missing tooth. This causes even more tooth weakness, affects the health of your jaw, and makes you look older than you really are.
Here are some telltale signs it’s time you get your missing teeth replaced – preferably with dental implants in Boston.
You’re having a Harder Time Eating
Even one missing tooth affects your bite. You may experience painful pressure on other teeth, or simply discomfort from the change in your bite, but regardless, replacing a missing tooth is the best way to ensure you can still eat a healthy, varied diet.
Teeth are Starting to Shift
If you notice that some teeth in your mouth are beginning to shift around, then it’s time for you to contact a dentist immediately. Teeth will shift to try and make up for the absence of other teeth, and this causes some problems you can’t fix on your own: most notably, weakened teeth, an uneven distribution of bite forces, and more areas where plaque builds up and it’s difficult to clean. Any tooth replacement option can keep your other teeth from leaning by filling up the gap.
Sunken appearance
Another sign that it’s time for dental implants is if your cheeks are beginning to have a sunken appearance to them. With no teeth to support the soft flesh of your cheeks, they’ll “cave in” on themselves and give for face an aged look, made worse by the loss of jawbone mass that starts as soon as you lose a tooth. This isn’t a look you want, and it’s easily fixed by implants, which stimulate the jawbone to preserve its original size.
You don’t Want Dentures or Dental Bridges
After you’ve lost several teeth, replacing them becomes a matter of necessity, not just vanity. To restore your bite, it’s likely you’ve considered full or partial dentures. This is a functional choice, and once which many people make. However, dentures have some major drawbacks when compared to implants.
Dentures don’t last as long as implants do. Implants will last a lifetime if you follow a basic oral health regimen. Dentures, however, will need constant refitting, adjustment, and modification, and they’ll wear out after only a few years. In addition, dentures often aren’t very comfortable or stable. With all the creams you need in order to keep them adhered to your gums, dentures are almost more work than they’re worth.
Tooth-supported dental bridges are more stable than removable dentures, but they get that stability from leaning on other teeth, which makes it more likely that those teeth will fail. Your chances of losing more teeth go up dramatically after receiving a tooth-supported dental bridge.
You Want a Natural Looking Smile Again
The biggest selling point to implants is how natural they look. Your implant will match the color, shape, and size of other teeth in your mouth, and once it’s installed, you’ll be able to confidently smile in every picture you take from then on. You won’t feel self-conscious about that gap in your smile anymore, your oral health will improve dramatically, and even the appearance of the rest of your face will benefit.
If you think that dental implants could be an option for you, then it’s time to call your local dentist in Boston and schedule a consultation. They’ll be able to guide you through the entire process and help you make the choice that’s best for you and your smile.
