Why am I missing a tooth?

Losing a tooth can be a frustrating and difficult experience, but thankfully, modern dentistry offers a range of solutions to restore your smile and your confidence. If you’re one of the 2.2% of adults in the U.S. between ages 20 to 64 with missing teeth, you’ll be happy to know that dental implant restoration is highly effective in replacing a missing tooth. So whether you’re missing a tooth due to injury, tooth decay, or genetics, read on to discover why an implant restoration could be the perfect solution to improve your oral health and boost your self-esteem.

Before we dive into how amazing dental implants are as a tooth replacement option, let’s start with the common reasons that you might be missing a tooth in the first place.

• Tooth decay—Untreated cavities can lead to tooth decay, which can ultimately cause a tooth to fall out or require extraction.
• Gum disease—When gum disease progresses, it can cause the bone that supports the teeth to deteriorate. If the bone loses enough mass, not enough remains to hold the teeth in place.
• Trauma—A blow to the face or mouth, such as during a sports injury or car accident, can dislodge or knock out your tooth entirely.
• Age —No matter how much we aspire to find that fountain of youth, the truth is that we get older every day. And, as we age, our teeth become more vulnerable to decay and damage, which can lead to tooth loss when left untreated.
• Genetics—Some people may be more prone to tooth loss due to genetic factors that affect the strength and health of their teeth and gums.

When we don’t treat tooth loss with a tooth replacement option, it can lead to other issues. Failure to replace a missing tooth (or teeth) is the leading cause of jawbone loss. Further, despite being firmly attached to the jawbone, teeth can still shift in your mouth over time due to factors such as gum recession, tooth decay, etc. When one or more teeth are missing, this shifting problem can become even more pronounced and accelerated.

Finally, losing one or more teeth can result in bite irregularities that can affect the overall health of your remaining teeth, gums, head, neck, jaw muscles, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Your bite, also known as occlusion, is determined by how the chewing surfaces of your teeth come together. When a tooth is missing, the surrounding teeth can shift, causing a significant impact on your bite alignment. This can result in an improper bite and create further complications.

5 Reasons a Dental Implant Restoration Can Help

Dental implants near Hampton or Griffin, GA, are becoming an increasingly popular option amongst patients seeking tooth replacement. Here’s what you can expect if you decide that tooth implants are your best choice.

1. Improved Oral Health

Missing teeth can lead to bone loss and gum recession and can increase your risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease. Dental implants can help preserve the bone and gum tissue, preventing further damage and improving oral health.

2. Natural-Looking Appearance

Dental implants are designed to look and feel like natural teeth. At Allred Family Dentistry, we can custom-craft the crowns placed over your implants to match the color, shape, and size of your remaining teeth, thus creating a seamless and natural-looking smile.

3. Long-lasting

Dental implants are a durable and long-lasting solution for missing teeth. Not only do they have a nearly 95% success rate, but with proper care and maintenance, your new implants can last your lifetime.

4. Improved Ability to Bite, Chew, and Speak

Missing teeth can make it difficult to speak clearly and eat certain foods, such as nuts, popcorn, apples, carrot sticks, and corn on the cob. Dental implants can restore your ability to speak and eat comfortably, and different from dentures, allow you to enjoy your favorite foods without worry.

5. Increased Self-confidence

Some people underestimate it, but self-confidence is more important than you may think. It means less anxiety, greater motivation, more resilience, stronger relationships, and a stronger sense of your authentic self. And a great smile is a key component to self-confidence. For this reason, missing teeth can significantly impact self-confidence and self-esteem. Dental implants can restore a full and natural-looking smile, helping you feel more confident and comfortable in social situations.

Are you ready to experience all the benefits that dental implants have to offer?

Whether you have questions about dental implants or want to know if you are a candidate, the team at Allred Family Dentistry can help. And the sooner you address your missing tooth or teeth, the better it will be for your oral and overall health. Request an appointment today to begin the process toward a new, self-confident smile.