Do you have one or more missing teeth? It’s important to replace missing teeth as soon as possible to prevent future oral health problems. Here we will review common problems with missing teeth and how we can treat these problems with restorative dental care in our Owings Mills, MD office. We offer single dental implants and implant restorations for patients with permanently lost teeth.
Common Missing Teeth Problems in Owings Mills, MD
If you have lost one or more permanent teeth, you can also develop these issues over time. Early intervention is the best way to prevent increased problems due to missing teeth.
Bone Loss
When you lose a tooth, you lose not only that tooth but also stimulation to the bone beneath the gums. The jaw bone helps maintain the facial structure. As a result, patients with multiple missing teeth often experience facial sagging because they have lost support from their jaw bone.
Bite Issues
Patients with missing teeth are more likely to experience issues with their temporomandibular joints. These joints help encourage jaw function, especially when biting and chewing foods. Sometimes, teeth shift to accommodate a missing tooth. Over time, shifting teeth can overcrowd. Crooked teeth also place more pressure on the jaw and TMJ.
Nutrition
With one or more missing teeth, it can be difficult to eat healthy foods, unless these foods are blended together. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean meats can be hard to consume, while softer, more processed foods can be simpler to eat. You can lose nutrition as you lose your teeth.
Increased Oral Health Issues
Additionally, if you have lost a tooth to gum disease or tooth decay, you are also more likely to experience more tooth loss. Harmful bacteria can also collect in a missing tooth socket and contribute to tooth decay and gum disease.
What Can Dental Implants Do For Your Smile?
Implants are the gold standard for replacing one or more missing teeth. We use one or multiple dental implants, depending on patients’ needs, to secure dental crowns, bridges, and dentures in place. A single implant consists of a titanium post with a connecting abutment and a false tooth.
We place the implant post into the jaw bone to support dental restorations. If patients have lost jaw bone due to missing teeth, we can provide bone grafting, so they have enough support for implant treatment.
Dental implants and implant-supported restorations offer longer-lasting treatments than removable or traditional options. With implants, patients can easily speak, bite, and chew without restrictions. Implants also bring back support to the jaw bone as the implants support replacement teeth at the root.
Do you need to restore your lost teeth? Call (410) 697-6290 or schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Ed Lazer on our website today.