5 Reasons Why It’s Important To Replace Missing Teeth
Whether you decide to opt for a dental bridge or a dental implant, in Richmond here at Sheen Dental we always suggest that you aim to replace your missing teeth as soon as you possibly can. The reality is that leaving a space where a tooth once stood can have serious consequences on your oral and overall health. Let’s take a closer look at the psychological and biological reasons why tooth replacement is vital.
Psychological
Speech – Even just one missing tooth can cause speech and annunciation problems especially if it’s located at the front of the mouth. When this happens it can cause some people to withdraw socially, because they feel awkward and embarrassed.
Aesthetics – From an aesthetic point of view, a missing tooth such as one that’s located in the centre of the mouth can look unsightly especially if it’s clearly visible when the person smiles, laughs or speaks. This can cause a once confident person to shy away from social interaction and it can seriously knock their confidence too.
Biological
Change in bite – Because a tooth is missing it causes a redistribution of bite pressure onto other teeth. When this happens, over time the adjacent healthy teeth will then start to shift towards the gap causing a further misalignment of bite.
Gum disease – When otherwise healthy teeth shift and move in the mouth due to adjacent tooth loss it makes it much easier for plaque to accumulate in those ‘hard-to-reach’ places. When plaque builds up it creates tartar, a hard layer which is impossible to remove by brushing alone. This sits on the gum line and can cause gum disease, leading to further tooth complications.
Bone loss – Whilst all of the above is happening, your mouth also has to contend with bone loss. As the missing tooth isn’t there any more, bone tissue that once supported the tooth root is no longer stimulated. As a result it starts to deteriorate and waste away, eventually having a knock-on effect on other surrounding teeth, causing further tooth problems in the long term.
Advancements in dental technology have made it relatively easy to replace a missing tooth using dental implants. In Richmond, here at Sheen Dental we’ve been successfully fitting implants for decades and as a result understand the life changing, psychological and biological benefits that they can bring to a patient suffering with a missing tooth.
For further information about how a dental implant in Richmond can help you, then contact Sheen Dental on 020 8876 5277 and book a free no-obligation consultation with us. Alternatively feel free to visit our website at www.sheendentalimplants.co.uk where you can find a wealth of resources to help you make an informed dental decision.