Posted: September 28, 2018
If you’re missing one or more teeth, particularly if they’re in a hard-to-see area, it may not seem immediately compelling to replace them. However, there are a number of reasons, some cosmetic, others practical, to replace those pearly whites.
Practical Reasons to Replace Missing Teeth
First and foremost, let’s talk function. Each tooth has a purpose, from chewing and biting to helping maintain proper tension and alignment. Even one missing tooth changes things.
Once a tooth has fallen out, issues that will eventually follow include:
- Adjacent teeth slipping out of place
- A shift in bite alignment
- A loss of chew and bite force
- A loss of bone in the area surrounding the missing tooth
Once a tooth is gone, so too is its root. The roots of your teeth serve many functions, but among their most important is informing the body that bone and nutrients are needed around the teeth they support. When the root is gone, these signals cease and the area around the missing tooth shrinks and eventually collapses, forever altering the shape and definition of the face.
Visiting our Lakewood office for a dental bridge or dental implant can reduce or eliminate these problems. Dr. Greenhalgh offers a range of tooth replacement options and welcomes an opportunity to meet with you and help you determine which is best for your needs.
Cosmetic Reasons to Replace Missing Teeth
Jaw shrinkage as a result of tooth loss is, arguably, a cosmetic concern. It is not the only one posed by missing teeth, however. Even a single missing tooth can detract from the quality of a smile and this, in turn, can have a profound impact on every aspect of your life.
If you are embarrassed by your smile, you may be less likely to show it. This can actually impact productivity, which is not a cosmetic concern, but is concerning all the same. What’s more, smiling releases stress-relieving neuropeptides, making people who smile quite literally happier. If you’re hiding yours out of embarrassment over missing teeth, isn’t it time to look for a treatment that can help give you back your happy?
Our Lakewood implant dentist can assess the structure and quality of your smile, and recommend services that can help restore confidence and appeal. During your initial consultation, Dr. Greenhalgh will listen carefully to your concerns and provide you with honest information about the best ways to reach your goals.
The Best Tooth Replacement Options
Every patient is different and there is no single “best” solution for every smile. Dental bridges and dental implants can both be used to replace one or more teeth and will help to restore:
- Chewing and speaking abilities
- Proper bite strength and tension
Both of these services will also prevent adjacent teeth from slipping out of place - something that can help prevent future tooth loss.
Dental implants are the only tooth replacement solution that will prevent the jaw from shrinking. Unlike a dental bridge that sits on top of the gums, Dental implants are placed into the jaw where they eventually integrate and serve the function of the missing root. This makes dental implants a longer-lasting and more reliable solution for many of our patients. The best way to learn if they are right for you is through a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Greenhalgh.
To schedule your tooth replacement consultation with Scott Greenhalgh, DDS, please call 303-988-9060 today. Located in Lakewood, our implant dentist serves all Metro Denver communities including Wheat Ridge and Golden.
