Nearly 178 million Americans are missing a minimum of one tooth.1 Losing even a single tooth can cause your teeth to shift, leaving a gap in your mouth that can impact your chewing ability and lead to bone loss. The most common reasons for tooth loss often include untreated tooth decay, gum and bone disease, or trauma. Thankfully, there are numerous reliable options for tooth replacement in Rochester, NY.
Unfortunately, some people choose not to invest in a new tooth, which can have inevitable consequences.
Does Everyone Need to Consider Replacing Their Missing Teeth?
It is always in your best interest to consider tooth replacement in Rochester, NY. Replacing your missing tooth improves the overall health of your mouth. The hole your missing tooth creates can adversely affect your jawbone, surrounding teeth, and sometimes even your nutrition.
Many cosmetic and restorative dentists are skilled in providing a range of replacement options, including dental implants, bridges, and dentures. These procedures will improve the look of your smile while enhancing the function of your remaining teeth.
Consequences of Avoiding Tooth Replacement in Rochester, NY
Replacing your missing tooth prevents further discomfort and more expensive problems in the future. On the other hand, leaving a space in your smile can put you at risk for several complications.
Trouble Speaking and Eating
After losing a tooth, your diet is one of the first areas of life impacted. Sometimes, you may try to compensate for missing teeth by swallowing without adequately chewing. Or, you may avoid certain foods altogether. These behaviors may cause poor nutrition and digestive problems.
Some missing teeth can alter the way you speak. Your teeth help with the sound of your words and affect your pronunciation. Depending on which teeth you’ve lost, you may develop a lisp, impacting your desire for social interactions.
Bone Loss and Facial Collapse
It is easy to think that missing a few teeth near the back of your mouth will go unnoticed. However, that is untrue. When your teeth are not present, they do not stimulate your jawbone. The bone begins deteriorating and shrinking, eventually resulting in a face that appears sunken in. These factors affect your appearance and can add years to your face.
A dental implant replaces the missing tooth’s root using a durable titanium post. Once fully integrated with your bone, an implant can prevent collapse in the area where you were missing a tooth (or teeth) and maintain your facial structure.
Shifting Teeth
Every tooth in your mouth depends on the others for support. When one tooth is removed, the surrounding teeth may begin tilting toward the open space. These shifts can result in crooked teeth that are more challenging to clean. You end up with more tooth decay and potentially losing additional teeth. By replacing the missing tooth, your teeth remain appropriately aligned.
Bruxism and Jaw Disorders
As your teeth shift toward the empty space, they change how they bite together. When your bite is off, it can cause bruxism, the habitual clenching and grinding of your teeth. An improper bite may also cause temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs). These conditions can lead to enamel damage, tooth sensitivity, and tension headaches.
Lower Self-Esteem
Your smile is often the first thing strangers notice about you. Because of this, you may feel self-conscious about your smile when you lose a tooth. Having a space in your smile makes it challenging to smile confidently.
Tooth Replacement in Rochester, NY, Will Make You Love Your Smile Again
Replacing your lost or extracted tooth can enhance your quality of life. Not only does a tooth replacement allow you to speak and eat again comfortably, but it also leads to more self-confidence.
Explore your options for tooth replacement in Rochester, NY, with the skilled team from Dental Implants & Periodontal Health of Rochester. We take pride in delivering individualized care using advanced technology and techniques. Contact us today to schedule your consultation, and call us at (585) 685-2005.
Sources:
[1] https://www.prosthodontics.org/assets/1/7/ACP_Talking_points_for_Missing_Teeth_1-12-15.pdf
