The loss of a permanent tooth is something we strive to avoid, however at times a tooth may have been through so much that there is no other option than to remove it. The consequences of missing teeth can have far-reaching effects throughout your whole mouth, aside from the obvious inconvenience of chewing difficulties and aesthetic concerns.

When a tooth is lost, the bone that once supported that tooth is no longer used and stimulated. As it remains unused, it starts to reduce. In this way, the loss of teeth also leads to the loss of jaw bone.

The gap created by the missing tooth also has an impact on the teeth on either side and the tooth on the opposing jaw, all these teeth shift their position, effectively drifting into the space. This instability will eventually have an impact on the entire bite. The change in a bite has a knock-on effect, causing irregularities in your remaining teeth, your head, and your neck. The strain placed on the temporomandibular joint can cause clicking, grinding, and headaches. The teeth can begin to wear unevenly, and often become sensitive.

Premature aging of the face is another concern when missing teeth are not replaced. Teeth support the shape and structure of your face, so when they are lost the underlying structure of the face begins to diminish.

Although it seems strange to think about, lost teeth can also affect the way we speak, the more teeth that are missing, the more difficult it can be to correctly pronounce certain words. In losing the ability to correctly speak, easily eat, and be conscious of the way that you look when you are missing a tooth, the many ways that a loss of a tooth can affect your everyday life becomes a serious concern that can be easily addressed.

Dental implants can be safely and painlessly placed in the dental chair, and offer the patient a wonderful solution to restore dignity and function by permanently restoring missing teeth. At South Coast Aesthetics and Dental we offer our patients the convenience of having both the implant placed and restored in our rooms, with the latest technology available.