Our teeth need support from their roots, the jawbone, and gums to stay healthy. Likewise, adjacent teeth also play a role in keeping your teeth in place so they don’t drift. That’s why it’s important to have our Shelby Township, MI, dental implant dentist replace missing teeth ASAP.
Once you lose a tooth, the dynamic inside your mouth changes. In other words, you lose part of what was keeping the rest of your teeth healthy and stable.
The good news is that Dr. Nazarian can create a treatment plan that’s tailored to your oral health needs.
In the meantime, here are the main reasons you should replace missing teeth.
Losing Teeth Can Mean You:
1. Aren’t Able to Enjoy Your Favorite Foods
make eating the foods we love difficult and even painful. If you limit your diet to only what your teeth can handle, such as soft foods, you may miss out on many important nutrients. Dr. Nazarian can help you explore your tooth replacement options so you never have to worry about purposefully avoiding healthy foods because they are harder to chew.
2. May Have Additional Tooth Loss
Each tooth in your mouth provides support for the teeth around it. When one , the teeth surrounding it are more likely to lean inwards to fill the open space. This movement often leads to crowding, cavities, and even further tooth loss.
3. May Experience Bone Loss in the Jaw
Amazingly, your body is able to detect when you lose a tooth and will start to absorb the minerals in your jaw to use elsewhere. As a result, the area of the jaw around the empty socket will start to deteriorate over time.
If left untreated, you may experience facial collapse. This condition involves the jaw bone shrinking, thus changing the shape of the face and making dentures difficult to wear.
To prevent bone loss in the jaw, we often recommend dental implants. Unlike dentures that sit on top of the gums, Dr. Nazarian will embed the implant in the jawbone for added stability.
Dental implants work because they exert pressure on the jawbone. In other words, they replace the function of a natural tooth root. This delivers natural stimulation which keeps the bone tissue healthy and prevents further deterioration or facial collapse.
Related: Are Dental Implants Better Than Dentures? →
4. May Notice Low Self-Esteem
Do you often smile with your lips closed? Do you cover your mouth when you laugh? Do you ever feel self-conscious when meeting people for the first time?
If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, please know that you’re not alone. Many patients experience low self-esteem after tooth loss. The good news is that Dr. Nazarian is here to help. His ultimate goal is to restore your smile so you can live your life with confidence again.
What’s the Best Way to Replace Missing Teeth?
First, it’s important to remember that each patient is different. Some may prefer a removable option or don’t immediately qualify for oral surgery. Generally speaking, however, dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care. They also prevent bone loss in the jaw, as well as tooth loss. The result is a beautiful, healthy smile you’ll be able to enjoy for years to come.
Request an Appointment With Dr. Nazarian
Dr. Ara Nazarian is an experienced dental implant dentist in Shelby Township, MI. As such, he’d be more than happy to help you explore your tooth replacement options. The sooner you replace missing teeth, the sooner you’ll be able to restore your oral health.
To request an appointment, please call the Premier Dental Center today at (248) 457-0500.
This blog post has been updated.