The Negative Effects of Tooth Loss

Find out what happens if you don’t treat your tooth loss.

If you are an adult who is missing one or more teeth, it’s important that you don’t just ignore this problem. From dental implants to bridges and dentures, our Costa Mesa, CA, dentists, Dr. Sanacore, Dr. Kunert, and Dr. Debourg-Shilaimon make it easy for anyone and everyone to treat their tooth loss and to find a restoration that caters to their needs, goals, and health.

However, what happens if you don’t replace missing teeth?

Your teeth will shift out of place

If you decide not to replace your missing tooth or teeth, one issue you will notice is that the rest of your natural teeth will begin to shift into these open spaces due to jawbone deterioration. Shifting teeth can also change your bite and how your teeth and jaws fit together, causing problems with speaking and chewing. It could also put unnecessary wear and tear on teeth over time, leaving teeth prone to cracking and breaking.

Your jawbone will deteriorate

Another consequence of tooth loss is that the jawbone atrophies as a result of a lack of stimulation from the now-missing tooth roots. The remedy? To have our Costa Mesa, CA, dental team place a dental implant into the jawbone. This artificial tooth replaces the roots of your missing teeth, providing the jawbone with the stimulation it requires to stay healthy. To prevent significant bone loss, it’s important to see your dentist right away for treatment.

You’ll notice changes in the shape of your face

As your jawbone changes shape, so too will your face. The cheeks and muscles of the face are no longer receiving the full support from the jaws or a full set of teeth. This can cause a receding chin line and sunken, sagging cheeks, as well as premature lines and wrinkles. By finding a replacement tooth, you can preserve a fuller and more youthful appearance.

Concerned? We can help

Harbor Mesa Dental Care wants to make sure that everyone has a healthy smile that they feel confident with. If you want to discuss dental implants or other tooth replacement solutions with us, call our Costa Mesa, CA, dental practice today at (714) 825-0025.

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