Dental implants in Waco, TX are a gold standard tooth replacement option. By getting treated with dental implants, the look, function, and health of the patient’s smile will be restored. For a number of reasons, however, some people won’t replace their missing teeth with dental implants.
Interested in learning what could happen if people don’t replace their missing teeth with dental implants? Continue reading to learn about what could happen if people don’t replace their missing teeth with dental implants.
What Happens If People Don’t Replace Their Missing Teeth With Dental Implants In Waco, TX?
There are numerous things that could happen if people don’t replace their missing teeth with state-of-the-art dental implants. Here are the main things that could happen if people don’t replace their missing teeth with dental implants.
Will Have An Imperfect Looking Smile:
The absence of teeth can dramatically alter the appearance of a person’s smile, leading to them having an imperfect looking smile. Without dental implants, gaps left by missing teeth are visible in a person’s smile, especially if the lost teeth are located in the front part of the mouth. In order for people to keep a good-looking smile, they should replace their missing teeth with dental implants.
Remaining Teeth May Shift:
When a tooth is missing, the remaining teeth may begin to shift towards the empty space as a natural response to fill the gap. Shifting teeth can result in tooth misalignment and affect the person’s overall bite. Misaligned teeth can make it more difficult to chew food properly and it may lead to additional strain on the person’s jaw joints.
Teeth that have moved out of their original position are also often harder to clean effectively, increasing the risk of people having cavities and gum disease. Dental implants act as a placeholder for missing teeth, preventing a person’s remaining teeth from shifting out of place.
Jawbone Will Loose Density And Health:
When missing teeth are not replaced with dental implants as soon as possible, the person’s jawbone begins to lose its density and health due to a lack of tooth root stimulation. Natural tooth roots give the jawbone constant stimulation when people chew, which helps maintain its density.
However, when a tooth is missing, that area of the jawbone no longer receives the necessary stimulation it needs to be healthy and strong, leading to the jawbone losing density and volume. Over time, missing teeth can lead to significant jawbone density loss, altering the shape of the person’s face and causing further dental complications.
Because dental implants have a dental implant post that stimulates the jawbone like natural tooth roots would, it will give the patient’s jawbone the necessary stimulation it needs to maintain good jawbone density.
Remaining Teeth May Loosen Over Time And Need To Be Removed:
Without dental implants to replace missing teeth, the remaining natural teeth are at a higher risk of becoming loose over time. This happens because the teeth adjacent to the gap left by the missing teeth begin to shift, as mentioned earlier. This shifting can disrupt the balance of dental force when the person is chewing, placing higher stress on the remaining teeth.
Over time, this dental stress can weaken the periodontal ligaments that hold teeth in place, potentially leading to the teeth becoming loose. Also, jawbone density loss associated with missing teeth, reduces the support structure for the remaining teeth, causing the teeth to become loose.
If left untreated, these factors can lead to a situation where the loosened teeth become so compromised that they, too, need to be removed, giving the person further dental problems.
Shifted Teeth Can Lead To TMJ Pain:
Shifted teeth, as a result of not replacing missing teeth with dental implants, can pave the way for TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain. This is because the misalignment of teeth alters the natural and balanced distribution of a person’s biting forces. When teeth shift into the gap left by a missing tooth, it can lead to an uneven bite.
This uneven bite puts additional stress on the jaw joints and muscles, as they have to work harder and in an unnatural manner to compensate for the misaligned bite. Over time, this excess stress can cause discomfort, pain, and even dysfunction in the TMJ. It will make it hard for people to open and close their mouth, will have jaw pain, have headaches, and their jaw will make clicking or popping sounds.
Dental implants help in preventing a person’s remaining tooth from shifting, which is important for the health and function of their TMJ.
The Spaces Created By Shifting Teeth Will Prevent People From Having A Well Rounded Diet:
The spaces created by shifting teeth, resulting from missing teeth, can significantly impact a person’s ability to maintain a well-rounded diet. This shift can cause dental misalignment and uneven tooth spaces that make it challenging for people to chew food properly. Foods that are harder, crunchier, or require more effort to break down, might be avoided due to discomfort or the inability to chew them properly.
This can lead to people with missing teeth relying on softer, often more processed foods that might lack the necessary nutrients they need for a healthy diet. Improper chewing can also affect a person’s digestion, as the process of breaking down food starts in the mouth. When teeth do not properly grind the food, it can lead to digestive issues, making it even more difficult for people to get the nutrition’s that they need from their food.
See Us Now So We can Improve Your Quality Of Life With Dental Implants
When you come to our caring and dedicated practice, we can expertly replace your missing teeth so that you can maintain a normal diet, speak clearly, and smile confidently for years to come. Without proper teeth, it will be very hard for you to live your life normally.
Why wait to improve your smile with us? Get in contact with Dr. Donna Miller, Dr. Austin Green, Dr. Michelle Hinds, Dr. Lauren Sweeney and our exceptional team at our Creekwood Dental Arts practice to schedule an appointment today!