Receiving one or more dental implants can be a life-changing experience that permanently restores your ability to chew, speak, and smile with confidence. That being said, the road to dental implants is not always straightforward or easy, and many patients wonder how to properly prepare for the procedure.
Some of the most common inquiries our doctors receive at consultation appointments are about how missing teeth impact jaw structure and function. Specifically, many patients wonder about the role that missing teeth play in causing surrounding teeth to shift over time and how this may affect their dental implant surgery.
Below, we’ll explore the ways in which missing teeth can impact jaw structure and offer some proactive suggestions for mitigating the risks associated with shifting teeth. For a personalized treatment plan that will take all of this and more into consideration, book your free consultation at Doctors Implants today!
Removing Teeth Changes Your Jaw Structure
When a tooth is extracted from your mouth, the gap left behind is an obvious physical reminder of the change that has occurred. What may not be as apparent are the invisible changes that also take place below your gum line.
Every time you bite down on a healthy tooth, your jawbone is stimulated, and the surrounding soft tissue is kept healthy. But when a tooth is removed, the tooth root no longer stimulates the jawbone and deterioration can result. Jawbone loss and soft tissue recession are two of the negative outcomes commonly associated with missing teeth, and both of them can complicate the dental implant process.
A gap of one or more teeth in the mouth can also cause surrounding teeth to move and shift. Adjacent teeth may tilt inwards or become otherwise misaligned, which can result in a bad bite (malocclusion). In addition to making the situation more complex, misaligned teeth can also contribute to speech problems, chewing problems, tooth decay, gum disease, enamel damage, root exposure, and loss of confidence.
While our Doctors at Doctors Implants have successfully restored smiles for countless patients with even the most severe bone loss and/or misaligned teeth, we recognize that such issues both complicate the dental implant process and detract from our patients’ quality of life. For these reasons, we recommend avoiding delays to your dental implant surgery in order to mitigate such risks and regain a beautiful, functional smile as quickly as possible.
Consult With the Experts at Doctors Implants About Restoring Your Smile
Full mouth dental implants are a life-changing investment that can give you a permanent new lease on your oral health and confidence. To learn more about full mouth dental implants in San Antonio, TX, Oklahoma City, OK, Charleston, SC, or Wichita Falls, TX, reach out to us today to book your free Doctor Consultation!
