Replacing missing teeth has both aesthetic and health benefits.
If you are missing one or more teeth, you have probably considered a replacement in order to improve the appearance of your smile.
However besides the aesthetic advantages of replacing a missing tooth, did you know that there is also a number of health benefits?
Health benefits of replacing missing teeth
Prevent your teeth from shifting
When you lose a tooth, the surrounding teeth can begin to shift and loosen. As teeth begin to move out of place, you are at risk of oral health problems. These include gum disease, tooth decay and problems with your bite. By filling the gap left by a missing tooth with a restoration, it is often possible to avoid these kinds of problems.
Maintain facial structure
Tooth loss often leads to the deterioration of the facial bone and muscles, which causes the face to sag and droop. Replacing a missing tooth helps to maintain facial structure and provides many health benefits. Missing teeth can also cause changes to the TMJ muscles and can lead to discomfort and pain in the jaw.
Lower the risk of oral disease
Gaps left by missing teeth are an easy target for bacteria to gather and these areas tend to be at high risk of issues such as gum disease. It can also be difficult to brush and floss properly in the area surrounding a missing tooth, particularly if your remaining teeth have shifted and have become misaligned as a result.
Restore proper oral function
Having one or more missing teeth can make it difficult to eat certain foods or to chew and bite with adequate force. There is also a chance that missing teeth can also cause speech issues, making it difficult to pronounce certain sounds. By replacing a missing tooth, it is possible to restore proper oral function and speech.
How can we help?
Dr Jeremy Lung offers a number of treatments designed to replace missing teeth, including dental implants, as well as all-on-4 which replaces an entire dental arch. All-on-4 implants involve the placement of four acrylic on titanium implants in each jaw.
All-on-4 implants can be used in either the upper or lower jaw and a are a good option for individuals who are missing multiple teeth. Find out more information on all-on-4 here.
Singular dental implants are made from three main elements: an artificial root made from biocompatible titanium; an abutment that is attached to the head of the implant; and a prosthetic tooth or crown made from porcelain. Dental implants look and feel just like natural teeth and are a great solution for individuals who would like to restore oral function.
If you would like to make an appointment to see Dr Jeremy Lung, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.