What happens when you lose a tooth?

If you’re missing one tooth or more, you may find there are other things you miss. You may miss your natural smile and enjoying your favorite foods. When was the last time you crunched into an apple or sank your teeth into a mouth-watering steak? Do you feel self-conscious about eating or speaking in public?

Naturally, the effects of tooth loss vary from person to person. The root of your tooth anchors the tooth to your jawbone providing support for the crown. Without the root, the bone around the missing tooth will gradually recede, remaining teeth will shift, and chewing will become more difficult with time.

For those who have lost all of their teeth in their upper or lower jaws, the long-term problems are even greater. This is because bone shrinks after tooth loss, nerves become exposed, resulting in dentures that lack support. Loose fitting dentures compound problems, lead to sore gum tissue, and additional pain.

Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures

Each tooth is made up of a crown and a root. The crown is visible while the unseen root anchors the crown to the jawbone, providing stable support. Many options are available for replacing a crown, but only dental implants can replace its root. If the root is not replaced, shrinkage of the jawbone occurs causing your face to appear older. Dental implants can stop this process.

Dentures do not have to look like a denture and they do not have to be painful. Here at our office, special attention is taken throughout each step of the process to fabricate a denture that is custom made for you. We strive to create a beautiful smile that is natural; one in which no one knows is a denture.

Improved Comfort and Speech

Unlike implants, full dentures can shift inside your mouth causing difficulty in speaking and clicking noises. Gum irritation and pain from exposed nerves are also associated with full or partial dentures. These problems can be eliminated with implants, which are anchored securely to the jawbone. Implant-supported dentures look, feel, and function like natural teeth, enabling you to speak with comfort and confidence.

Eat What You Want

Typically when denture patients have excellent fitting dentures they can eat at 15 to 20 percent of the efficiency of people with natural teeth. Dental implants can restore lost chewing efficiency. This allows you to once again enjoy your favorite foods without thinking twice about it. Go ahead, eat that big juicy steak or bite into that apple!

Smile with Confidence

With dental implants, your teeth will be secure. You will no longer need to cover your mouth when you laugh or smile.

Dental implant treatment may initially seem more expensive than traditional treatment. However, the cost for long-term success with dental implants is often equivalent to repetitive temporary treatment solutions. Implants are indeed a wise investment.

Improve Your Self-Esteem

With dental implants, you can regain nearly all the capabilities you had with your natural teeth. Most implant patients experience renewed confidence. Your improved self-esteem will allow you to participate in activities you were once restricted from. You’ll be able to enjoy life.

For additional information, visit Nobel Biocare’s website.