If you have missing teeth then you know that replacing them is a must. Not doing so will impact the appearance of your smile, degrade your self-confidence, and can lead to other oral health problems and even general health concerns. The only real question is what type of tooth replacement is best for you? At Foundation Dental Solutions in Arlington, implant dentist Dr. Douglas Baldwin and his team often use dental implants to great success with patients of all ages. Read on to find out more about replacing missing teeth with dental implants.
The Trouble with Missing Teeth
Whether you have one, two, three or more missing teeth, the importance of tooth replacement cannot be understated. Missing teeth have been shown to lead to other oral health problems including gum disease, bite problems as other teeth shift out of position, a greater risk of tooth decay and even additional missing teeth.
In addition, some people with tooth loss often have trouble eating a healthy diet because they simply cannot chew a variety of nutritious foods, such as fruits and vegetables and lean meats. Finally—and this barely needs mentioning—missing teeth almost always make people self-conscious; knowing that others are seeing a gaping hole in your smile can lead to a loss of self-confidence and ultimately isolation.
The Advantages of Dental Implants
There are other tooth replacement options—a denture or crown and bridge, for example—but neither of these offers the distinct benefits of having dental implants. While they do replace the crown of a tooth, the root is still missing. An implant, on the other hand, replaces both.
When you have a dental implant, Dr. Baldwin surgically places a small titanium post in your jawbone underneath the socket of a missing tooth. This substitutes for your missing tooth root, and while you may not see this portion of your tooth replacement it does play a very important role in your oral health, as well as your facial appearance.
The implant firmly anchors your new tooth restoration and also stimulates healthy new bone tissue growth. Without a tooth root, bone begins to deteriorate, which can lead to changes in the shape of your face. The jaw often begins to look sunken and your entire appearance may change. A dental implant, however, prevents this so you not only have a complete smile but you also maintain your youthful good looks!
Call Your Arlington Implant Dentist Today
If you would like to learn more about dental implants, Arlington dentist Dr. Baldwin would be happy to consult with you. Contact Foundation Dental Solutions today.