When it comes to missing teeth, there are several different options out there to replace them. Dental implants in Indianapolis have become a preferred option because of the many different benefits that they provide. But if you are missing teeth in the back of your mouth, is it really necessary for you to replace them? Afterall, no one will even be able to see them. Continue reading to learn more about the risks of not replacing a missing back tooth with a dental implant.
Difficulty Eating
When you have a missing tooth in the back of your mouth, it can be much easier for you to chew your food. You may even have to end up limiting your food choices so you can have an easier time eating. By replacing your missing tooth with a dental implant, you can restore up to 90% of your natural chewing power, therefore allowing you to enjoy your favorite foods again.
Wearing of Other Tooth
When you are using fewer teeth to chew your food, they will wear down even faster than normal. This is because they are doing more work since the missing tooth is not there to help. The crown that is placed on the end of your implant is durable, just like your natural teeth, and will help to take on a lot of the labor of chewing.
Misalignment
When there is a gap in your smile, the surrounding teeth will try to fill in this missing space. This can cause you to have overcrowding in certain areas and crooked, misaligned teeth. By filling in this gap with a dental implant, you can prevent the need for future orthodontic work.
Bone Loss
When you are missing a tooth, your jawbone isn’t being stimulated in that spot by regular chewing. Ultimately the body will begin to reabsorb the bone, causing the structure of your face to change. This means sunken-in cheeks and wrinkled lips, making you look older than you actually are. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that preserve the integrity of the jawbone because they replace the root of the missing tooth.
TMJ Disorder
When the structure of your mouth changes, you are more likely to develop temporomandibular joint disorder. This causes patients to feel jaw pain and headaches. When you replace a missing tooth with a dental implant in the back of the mouth, you are preventing the structure of the mouth from changing.
It may not seem like a big deal to have a gap in the back of your mouth, but the truth is that you could end up dealing with a variety of different oral health issues that you wouldn’t have otherwise. Opting for a dental implant can help you to maintain a healthy smile for many years to come!
About the Author
At Indianapolis Family Dentistry, you have not one, but two experienced dentists who have been working in the field for over 35 years! Dr. Mark M. Farthing and Dr. Armin M. Tepner both earned their dental doctorates from the Indiana University School of Dentistry and are committed to continuing education to keep their knowledge and skills sharp. If you’re missing a tooth in the back of your mouth, they would be happy to help. For more information on dental implants or to schedule a consultation, visit their website or call (317) 898-3384.