Guess what happens if you don’t get dental implants after losing a tooth? Your neighboring teeth may start to play musical chairs, slide around and become completely crooked. It’s like a chaotic tooth party in your mouth! You don’t want to deal with the hassle and discomfort that comes with delayed tooth loss. It can put you in some pretty unpleasant situations, and we want to help you avoid that.
Missing teeth usually bring a loss of mouth function. Trying to chew becomes a challenge, and talking can become a difficult task. As if that wasn’t enough, your physical appearance also takes a hit. Missing teeth can turn your smile into a “Spot the Gap” game and your self-confidence may begin to crumble.
Allow us to propose: How about considering replacing your teeth before it’s too late? Dental implants are the superhero that gives you a rock-solid smile that is both functional and wonderful. It’s time to embrace the power of a complete set!
The long-term consequences of untreated tooth loss
Untreated tooth loss can have significant and far-reaching consequences, both physically and emotionally. One of the most noticeable ones is the effect on facial structure. Besides appearance-related problems, it can also have adverse effects on oral function.
These physical effects are just the tip of the iceberg; the psychological toll shouldn’t be overlooked also. You may experience low self-esteem and confidence as a result of tooth loss. Many may experience social anxiety, avoid social interactions, and smile less because of this. These emotional factors might lead to depression in people over time.
That’s why it’s important to consider dental implants to prevent long-term consequences and protect both oral health and overall quality of life.
Not being able to enjoy and digest food
Imagine a world where even the simple act of enjoying a delicious meal becomes a daily struggle. Sadly, this is what happens if you don’t get dental implants in time. As mealtimes lose their luster, the joy of getting together with loved ones around a table fades away. Not only that, it can also let you down in getting nutrients that play an important role in your body and overall health.
Nutrients are basically the building blocks that support proper bodily functions, growth, and repair. When you’re nutrient deficient, it weakens your immunity, making you sick more often and easily, lowering your energy levels, and affecting your general physical well-being as well as your mental health. That’s why you should give importance to your missing tooth.
The solution lies in trusting and believing in dental implants. It’s never too late for you to restore not only the ability to enjoy food but also the social bonds and cheerful experiences that come with it.
Teeth shifting in time and misalignment
When you lose a tooth, a gap will form in that area. Adjacent teeth, previously supported by the missing tooth, may begin to slide into this gap, leading to misalignment. This might cause teeth in the upper jaw to overlap those in the lower jaw. In other words, teeth loss gives overbite.
Also, the shifting of adjacent teeth affects the alignment of the rest of your teeth, like a domino effect. As a result, your smile might get crooked over time. And did you know that your natural teeth can grow longer with the instinct of filling the missing tooth? Don’t be shocked, but as a result of your teeth shifting, neighboring teeth can turn into elongated teeth. Weird right?
Missing teeth affect facial structure
It’s true! Missing teeth can actually have an impact on your facial structure. You see, your teeth play an important role in supporting the structure of your face. They provide support to your lips, cheeks, and even your jaw bone. When you lose teeth, especially the back ones, it can result in bone loss in the jaw. This can cause the cheeks to appear sunken, giving your face a collapsed or aged look. If it reaches that point, you’ll need to have a bone graft.
But exactly what specific tooth loss causes facial collapse? Well, they’re the ones at the back of your mouth which we call molars and premolars. Fortunately, tooth loss treatment is possible. You can replace those missing teeth with implants. In this way, you won’t experience further bone deterioration or facial disfigurement.
Ending up with speech impairments
Losing a tooth can affect the way you speak, let alone a gap in your smile! You see, our teeth play a very important role in the formation of words and sounds. So if you’re wondering “Does tooth loss affect speech?”, yes, it can cause some speech impairments. Your tongue and lips rely on your teeth for proper positioning to create clear sounds, so you shouldn’t let them down. Without the support of the teeth, it will be difficult to pronounce certain sounds such as “s”, “th” or “f”. As you can understand, tooth loss and speaking are closely related at this point. You need them for comprehensive speech production and that’s one of the reasons to consider getting implants.
If you don’t want implants, here are some alternatives
Don’t feel like going through an implant treatment? Well then let’s talk about some dental implant alternatives. One of these alternatives is partial dentures. They are removable, can replace multiple missing teeth, and last but not least provide a natural-looking smile. Another option is a fixed bridge. Dental bridges are supported by neighboring teeth and can effectively restore the functionality of your natural teeth. Both alternatives provide you with the opportunity to have a healthy mouth without undergoing implant surgery. Looking for someone to guide you through these options? Get in touch with a dentist’s office and book an appointment to discover the best option for your unique needs.
You may consider partial dentures
Partial dentures are a great option if you want to restore your missing teeth without the need to break the bank. Dental implants might be fantastic for the long run but partial dentures offer a functional and affordable choice. They are custom-made to fit your mouth shape, and they can be easily taken out for cleaning. Also, no more fear of implant surgery! Because, unlike dental implants, partial dentures are a non-invasive option.
Or you may consider bridges
Dental bridges are a popular option also. Just like their name suggests, they literally work like a bridge by filling the gap between your teeth. They’re made up of dental crowns that anchor onto the adjacent teeth, with a false tooth in between. The bridge itself is custom-crafted to match the color and shape of your natural teeth, so it looks and feels like the real deal. This fixed bridge not only restores your smile but also helps maintain the alignment of your remaining teeth.
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Chauncey HH, Muench ME, Kapur KK, Wayler AH. The effect of the loss of teeth on diet and nutrition. International Dental Journal. 1984;34(2):98-104. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6588038/
Davis DM, Fiske J, Scott B, Radford DR. The emotional effects of tooth loss: a preliminary quantitative study. British Dental Journal. 2000;188(9):503-506. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4800522
