Whether you've lost one tooth or all of them, it can be upsetting to see the changes to your smile when you look in the mirror. Additionally, tooth loss can unfortunately also affect your chewing ability and may even weaken your jawbone. Here at Mission Point Dental Wellness Associates in Southfield, MI, your dentists, Drs. Lynna Pillai, Earl Bogrow, and Greg Young, can help you avoid these consequences and improve your smile with dental implants.
What Happens After You Lose a Tooth
The change in your appearance is the most immediate and noticeable effect of tooth loss. If the gap in your teeth is visible, you may feel self-conscious about the way you look. Concerns about your smile may even affect your social or professional life. Tooth loss may also cause several other problems, including:
- Tooth Alignment Changes: Every tooth helps support your entire smile. When one tooth is lost, nearby teeth begin to drift as they try to fill the space. Eventually, your teeth may begin to overlap, or you may notice that your upper and lower teeth don't fit together as easily as they once did.
- Chewing Difficulties: Chewing may no longer be second nature if you've lost one or more teeth. In fact, you may struggle to bite, tear, grind and chew tough or hard foods.
- Excessive Wear on Teeth: Losing teeth increases the work of your remaining teeth when you chew. Excessive wear and tear can put them in jeopardy too.
- Poor Nutrition: Without enough teeth to chew foods well, it may be easier to resort to eating soft foods. If these foods don't contain the nutrients you need, your health may suffer.
- Increased Risk of Cavities: Removing plaque from the overlapping portions of your teeth isn't easy. If the sticky film remains on your teeth, you may develop tooth decay.
- Poor Jawbone Strength: Jawbone resorption, a condition that occurs when the jawbone shrinks after tooth loss, is another potential consequence of tooth loss. The condition can lead to the loss of other teeth and sagging of the muscles in the lower half of your face.
Dental Implants Can Help Restore Your Missing Teeth
No matter how many teeth you've lost, dental implants offer an excellent way to restore your smile. Implants replace your tooth roots and naturally bond to your jawbone during a minor oral surgery in Southfield. The implants are topped with dental crowns to completely restore your missing teeth.
Dental implants fill the gaps in your smile, help you chew with ease and prevent teeth from shifting. They also stimulate your jawbone, helping you avoid jawbone resorption.
Prioritize Your Oral Health
Fill the gaps in your smile with dental implants. Call your dentists in Southfield, MI, Drs. Pillai, Bogrow and Young, at (248) 827-1900 to schedule an appointment.