It’s easy to see why you’d want to get dental implants to replace teeth near the front of the mouth; no one wants attention to be drawn to gaps in their grin! But what about molars and other teeth near the back that other people won’t see? Do you really need to get a replacement for those? The truth is, getting dental implants is about more than just improving your appearance; it’s also about making sure your smile stays healthy and functional.
What Happens if a Tooth is Missing?
All of your teeth are essential for keeping the jawbone strong. Chewing and biting stimulates the jaw and lets the body know to maintain it. If a tooth is missing, the stimulation is lost, and the now “unneeded” part of the bone will start to resorb (meaning it breaks down). Over time, your jaw will start to lose height and won’t be able to support your lips, resulting in wrinkles and an older appearance.
Sped up aging isn’t your only concern, however. Empty space will cause your remaining teeth to shift at an accelerated rate, causing alignment problems. Not only can this result in a lot of pain, but your other teeth might become worthless for biting tasks if the shifting is too severe. Finally, the movement of teeth in the jaw can leave the gums more vulnerable to periodontal disease which, if left alone, can eventually lead to tooth loss; in other words, one missing tooth can eventually become many missing teeth.
Why are Back Teeth So Important?
In addition to the issues listed above, your back teeth are particularly important to maintaining a healthy bite. The back teeth help ease some of the excessive pressures of chewing, protecting the relatively less sturdy front teeth. Losing posterior teeth will make it more difficult to safely eat many different kinds of foods and will cause your other teeth to wear down much faster.
Uneven bite pressure can also affect the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) that connect the jaw to the skull. A TMJ disorder can cause jaw pain, earaches, and lockjaw, and these symptoms will only get worse the longer they are unaddressed. You can treat this issue, but it’s always best to avoid it altogether.
How Do Dental Implants Help?
Because dental implants replace tooth roots, they give your dental restorations improved chewing power and increased stability, thus maintaining a strong, healthy bite. They also stimulate the jawbone and prevent it from deteriorating. Finally, implants are very easy to maintain and can be brushed like natural teeth.
If you lose a tooth, don’t make the mistake of thinking you can get used to it. Call your implant dentist as soon as possible to start repairing your bite and protecting your health!
About the Author
At Crovatto and Edwards Family Dentistry in Orange Park, Dr. Steven Crovatto strives to make the practice a place where patients can genuinely feel at ease. He can personally handle every stage of placing dental implants, ensuring that you get your new teeth from someone you know and trust. To schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (904) 272-0800.