One of the many great things about living in the 21st century is that missing teeth can be a thing of the past. With a variety of different tooth replacement options out there, you don’t have to settle for gaps in your smile anymore. Dental implants in Gainesville have become especially popular because of their many benefits. However, why should you replace a missing back tooth? After all, no one can even see it. Continue reading to learn about the inconveniences and risks of not replacing your missing teeth with a dental implant, even if it is in the back.
More Difficult to Eat
With a missing tooth towards the back of your mouth, it can be more challenging for you to thoroughly chew your food. You could even end up limiting your food choices so you can have only options that you can eat with ease. When you have your missing tooth replaced with a dental implant, you can restore up to 90% of your natural chewing power, therefore allowing you to enjoy your favorite foods again.
Wear and Tear of Adjacent Teeth
Using fewer teeth to chew your food can cause them to wear down even faster than they normally would with age. This is because they are doing addition work to make up for the missing tooth. The crown that is placed on the end of an implant is durable, just like your natural teeth, so it will help to get the job done.
Misalignment
When there is a gap in your smile, the surrounding teeth will naturally try to fill in this open gap. This can cause overcrowding and misalignment. When you fill in this empty smile with a dental implant, you can prevent the need for orthodontic work in the future.
Jawbone Shrinkage
If a tooth is missing, your jawbone isn’t being stimulated in that spot by regular chewing. In the end, the body will begin to reabsorb the bone, causing the structure of your face to change over time. This means sunken-in cheeks and wrinkled lips, making you look much older than you actually are. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that preserve the integrity of the jawbone because they replace the root of the missing tooth.
TMJ Disorder
When the structure of your mouth changes, you are more likely to develop temporomandibular joint disorder. This disorder can cause jaw pain that leads to chronic headaches. When you replace a missing tooth with a dental implant in the back of the mouth, you are preventing the structure of the mouth from changing and reducing your risk of this condition.
Others may not notice if you have a gap in the back of your smile, but you will certainly pay the price over time. By searching for a ‘dentist near me,’ you can have your smile back in no time!
About the Author
Dr. Gabriel A. Nossa earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Florida College of Dentistry and is committed to pursuing many hours of continuing education each year. Currently, he is involved with numerous professional organizations including the American Dental Association and the Florida Dental Association. To learn more about the benefits of dental implants or to schedule a consultation, visit his website or call (352) 332-8133.