Why Tooth Loss Could Be Detrimental

Are you debating whether it's worth it to replace your missing tooth? Even if the gap isn't in a visible location, failing to restore your tooth could affect your oral health. Our Somerdale and Voorhess, NJ, dentists, Dr. Joseph Sullivan and Dr. Jeffrey Turner of Sullivan & Turner, serving the Camden County area, share information on possible issues you could face and explain how replacing missing teeth with dental implants can help you avoid these problems.

What happens when I lose a tooth?

The gap in your smile is the most obvious consequence of tooth loss, but it's not the only one. Unseen changes can also affect your appearance and your oral health. Your jawbone, like all the bones in your body, is made of living tissue and needs stimulation to stay strong. Walking or running helps keep the bones in your legs strong, but your jawbone relies on a more subtle type of stimulation. Although you don't feel anything, the roots of your teeth constantly press on the bone and help it maintain its strength. The loss of a tooth eventually causes the bone to shrink.

A receding jawbone affects your mouth in several ways. When your jawbone shrinks, it may not be able to adequately support your teeth, and you may eventually lose even more teeth. Your jawbone supports the muscles in your face. When it begins to recede, the muscles may start to droop, which may prematurely age you.

The absence of your tooth may also cause your remaining teeth to change position. As teeth drift, they often overlap, detracting from your appearance and making it hard to remove cavity-causing plaque. If you've lost several teeth, you may find it difficult to chew foods thoroughly whether you visit Somerdale, Voorhess or Camden County restaurants or dine at home. You may also have trouble speaking clearly.

How can dental implants help?

Dental implants offer the only complete tooth restoration method. Dental implants, small titanium posts, are implanted in your jawbone. Once they fuse to your jawbone, they're topped with dental crowns, artificial teeth that look just like natural teeth. Your implants replace your roots and continue to stimulate your jawbone. Thanks to that stimulation, you won't have to worry about jawbone recession and the unpleasant consequences it causes.

Dental implants help you avoid the problems caused by missing teeth. Call our Somerdale and Voorhess, NJ, dentists, Dr. Sullivan and Dr. Turner of Sullivan & Turner, also serving the Camden County, at (856) 784-3440 to schedule an appointment to learn more about this innovative restoration option.