If you’re ready for 3 reasons to replace missing teeth, check out this blog from Hallock Family Dental in McKinney and Allen.
What Are Dental Implants?
According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, 3 million people have already had dental implants and this number is rapidly increasing by about 500,000 annually. Although modern titanium implants were first developed in the 1950s, archaeologists have found that ancient Egyptians and Mayans were the first cultures to use artificial teeth.
Dental implants are surgical-grade root devices that are used to support permanent tooth prosthetics that are made to last a lifetime. These artificial roots are placed in the bone beneath the gums and become fused with the jaw. A crown is then attached to the implant to create a natural-looking smile that will last.
Many dentists and patients prefer dental implants because they provide the same function as natural teeth while also preventing bone atrophy in the jaw. Dental implants can be used to replace a single missing or damaged tooth or to restore an entire smile.
What Are 3 Reasons To Replace Missing Teeth?
- Reason #1: Missing teeth can affect your dietary habits and impair your speech.
- Reason #2: Missing teeth can impact the structure of your entire face.
- Reason #3: It is more cost-effective to replace a missing tooth sooner rather than later.
Did You Know Missing Teeth Can Change How You Eat And Speak?
Have you noticed that when children lose their baby teeth, they may start to talk with a lisp? This is because their missing teeth can impact their speech. When speaking, your tongue touches your teeth in specific ways to make specific sounds. An adult with missing teeth will also likely experience changes in their speech.
You may recall when you lost your baby teeth as a child, and how you had to be careful while eating until your adult teeth grew in. The same concept applies here. When you don’t have all of your teeth, you must be extra mindful while chewing to avoid irritating or hurting your gums in the space between your teeth. Missing a tooth can affect you both aesthetically and functionally.
One Missing Tooth Can Affect The Structure Of Your Entire Face
Did you know a missing tooth can have a significant impact on the structure and outward appearance of your face? Your other teeth may shift towards the gap left by the missing tooth, resulting in a crooked or misaligned smile. Additionally, the lack of stimulation to your jawbone from the missing tooth can result in decreased bone density and volume. This can cause your chin and nose to move closer together on your face, and the corners of your lips may turn downwards, giving you an unhappy and aged look even when your expression is neutral. Therefore, it is important to replace your missing tooth to avoid these aesthetic and functional changes.
Replace A Missing Tooth Sooner Rather Than Later
If you’re not in a rush to get your missing tooth fixed, think again. It’s usually cheaper to take care of it now rather than waiting. If you don’t replace the missing tooth, the bone beneath the gap could become weaker. This can be a problem when your dentist checks the bone’s quality to see if it’s good enough for a dental implant. Additionally, if your tooth is missing due to bad dental hygiene, you could end up losing more teeth in the future if you don’t start to take better care of your teeth and get the help you need. It’s also more expensive to replace multiple teeth than just one.
Trust Your Smile In The Hands Of Hallock Family Dental
Hallock Family Dental in Texas is a family-owned and operated dental practice that specializes in providing our patients with top-quality, personalized service in a comfortable environment. Maintaining good oral health is critical to living a long, healthy life. That’s why keeping your mouth healthy is our top priority!
The team at Hallock Family Dental looks forward to helping your family maintain healthy teeth, gums, and mouths through every stage of life. Call our Allen location at 972-390-7200 or our McKinney location at 972-547-1775 to learn more about how we can help you and your family have the healthiest, brightest smiles possible.
