San Francisco and Marin CA
Whether from trauma, damage or decay, tooth loss carries both physical and psychological implications. Living with missing teeth can present a multitude of downsides that impact various aspects of an individual’s life. Our implant dentist in San Francisco is focusing today on some of the most notable downsides of missing teeth and the revolutionary way we can replace them.
Aesthetic concerns
The most immediate and noticeable consequence of missing teeth is in a person’s appearance. Our smiles are often called the window to our souls. Missing teeth can — and usually do — significantly alter one’s appearance, affecting their smile and facial symmetry. This aesthetic alteration can lead to a loss of confidence and self-esteem, ultimately impacting one’s social interactions and overall quality of life.
Oral health issues
Gaps left by missing teeth create spaces where food particles and bacteria accumulate and hide. This can lead to inflammation and deterioration of surrounding tissues and increases the risk of gum disease, tooth decay and oral infections. When teeth are missing, other, surrounding teeth will shift over time to try to fill the empty spaces. This can create spacing issues, making it difficult to clean in between teeth with a toothbrush or floss. It can also create misalignment and bite problems.
Functional limitations
Teeth are needed for chewing, speaking and maintaining proper oral function. Their absence can make it difficult to bite and chew food properly, leading to dietary restrictions and nutritional deficiencies. Speech impediments may also arise, affecting communication and causing frustration.
Bone loss
Tooth roots and natural teeth, through chewing and biting, stimulate the jaw bone in which they’re situated. When a person loses a tooth or teeth, the underlying jawbone is no longer stimulated. In the absence of tooth roots, the jawbone begins to deteriorate. This is what happens with dentures: The jawbone gradually shrinks and weakens, altering facial contours and weakening the structure of the jaw, potentially leading to further tooth loss.
Psychological implications
Beyond the physical discomfort and functional limitations caused by tooth loss, missing teeth can cause a person to feel ashamed and embarrassed, and it can lead to social withdrawal, depression and anxiety.
What’s the solution?
Dental implants are a sophisticated and durable solution for replacing missing teeth and restoring oral function and aesthetics. Dental implants offer far more benefits than other, traditional tooth replacement options, including offering a full range of dietary options with no restrictions. During implant surgery, our implant dentist near Marin will insert a titanium post into the jawbone that stimulates the jawbone just like natural tooth roots. An abutment is added to the post, and onto that, a custom-fabricated prosthetic tooth — such as a crown or bridge — is eventually securely attached. Implants prevent jawbone loss, and the visible crown mimics the natural structure and appearance of teeth, offering a permanent solution that looks, feels and functions just like natural teeth.
Dental implants in the Bay Area
Tooth loss can cause physical discomfort, but it can also present emotional, social and functional challenges. While our Bay Area implant dentist at Glen Park Dental has several options to address missing teeth, our preference is dental implants because of their ability to mimic natural teeth, not only in appearance but also in function. If you are missing a tooth, or if you know a tooth needs to be extracted, give us a call at (415) 799-3900. We can answer any questions you may have about tooth restoration, including dental implants.
