According to the American College of Prosthodontics, nearly 120 million Americans are currently missing at least one tooth. Sadly, people can lose their teeth for a number of reasons such as periodontal disease, tooth decay, cavities, or physical trauma. Regardless of how an individual loses their teeth, it is imperative to replace them to maintain the appearance and function of their smile. Unfortunately, when teeth are not replaced it can cause several issues that negatively impact an individual’s overall oral health. If you have missing teeth, contact our dedicated restorative dentistry/dentists located in Basking Ridge & Morristown, NJ who can help you understand treatment options. Keep reading to learn more about the importance of replacing missing teeth.
Should I replace my missing teeth?
If you are missing one or more of your teeth it is known as partial edentulism. Living with some or most teeth missing is detrimental to your overall oral health. If you have a missing tooth, you are more likely to suffer bone loss. Replacing a missing tooth can help you prevent bone loss as it will stop your face from changing. Unfortunately, six months after losing a tooth, the body will absorb bone tissue from the jawbone. This can result in your face drastically changing its structure. To prevent this, you must replace your missing teeth.
To maintain an even bite, it is vital to replace your missing teeth. When teeth are missing, it will cause the remaining teeth to shift, resulting in misalignment of the upper and lower teeth. This can cause serious problems with jaw bone function. By replacing missing teeth, you can prevent your teeth from shifting to maintain an even bite. It is also critical to replace missing teeth to ensure you have proper functionality. Teeth have many critical functions such as helping you eat and speak. Therefore, you must fill in any gaps in your mouth to retain function.
Furthermore, it is beneficial to replace missing teeth because it will enhance the appearance of your smile. Smiling has great social, professional, and health benefits. It is also known to boost your self-esteem. That said, you should replace missing teeth to improve the appearance of your smile. As mentioned above, it is crucial for missing teeth to be replaced as soon as possible to prevent a decline in your oral health. In most cases, dentists will recommend having a dental implant, fixed bridges, or dentures to fill the gaps in your mouth.
Unfortunately, edentulism can be difficult to live with. This condition often signifies the decline in oral health. If you are missing one or more of your teeth, schedule a visit with our skilled restorative dentists. Our team is prepared to help you maintain the appearance and function of your smile.
