On average, Australians over the age of 18 have at least 5 missing teeth (Australian Institute of Health & Welfare).
Some of these may have been removed by a dentist prior to orthodontic treatment. Some people will have lost teeth due to trauma - a sporting accident or a fall perhaps. Some will lose teeth through neglect - usually untreated tooth decay or gum disease. The position and extent of these lost teeth will influence the extent of any long term effect on your health and wellbeing if left untreated.
What happens when you lose a tooth?
Teeth are surrounded by a ligament and are able to move within the jaw bone. When you lose a tooth, the teeth next to and above the space tend to move. How much they move and to what extent is different for everyone.
Your jaw bone is there to hold your teeth in place. If there are no teeth then there is no reason for bone and the jaw bone starts shrinking in that area. The more teeth that are missing, the greater the bone loss. This can change the appearance of your face, resulting in a sunken look of the lower third of your face.
How does losing teeth affect my health and wellbeing?
When adjacent teeth move into the space created by missing teeth, they usually tilt over. The surfaces of these tooth become more difficult to clean, making them more susceptible to decay and gum disease. These teeth will also appear crooked and misaligned.
Gum disease plays a part in heart disease stroke and diabetes. Gum disease, if left untreated will also lead to the loss of more teeth. Tooth decay causes pain and if left untreated can lead to infection, abscess, swelling, and eventual tooth loss.
Crooked and misaligned teeth, and spaces where teeth were lost may be unsightly to others, particularly if in an area that shows when smiling. This may impact on your confidence and mental wellbeing.
Misaligned teeth can affect chewing because the jaws no longer come together as they should. Spaces mean less surface area to chew with. How extensive these spaces are may affect what foods you are able to eat.
Why choose Dental Implants?
Dental implants are the most natural looking permanent tooth replacement. They are also the most biologically conservative treatment option. No other tooth is involved in the placement of the dental implant and the presence of the implant has no negative impact on adjacent teeth or structures.
With regular care and maintenance, a dental implant placed by an expert should last you a lifetime. This can offset the initial expense compared to other treatment options such as a bridge or dentures, which while cheaper options, do have more limited life spans and may have a negative effect on adjacent teeth.
Having the confidence to smile knowing you have a full set of healthy, natural-looking teeth will make you feel good about yourself.
Filling the gap of a lost tooth is important for your health and wellbeing, so it’s important you consider all your options and replace the lost tooth/teeth.
We have created an ebook with all the answers about dental implants. Simply click on the image below to receive your free copy today.
‘Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.’