Tooth loss has plagued the human race for thousands of years. While dentists can use various dental restorations like bridges and dentures to replace missing teeth, these appliances do not address the problems tooth loss causes to the jawbone, which can lead to the patient developing an elderly and withered appearance. Dental implants are considered the pinnacle of tooth replacement because they look and function like real teeth and they also maintain the health of the jawbones. Here’s how dental implants can help you look younger.
How Does Tooth Loss Make Me Look Older?
Teeth endure a lot of wear and tear over the years, so older people are more likely to have missing teeth than younger people. Because of this, people associate tooth loss with old age. However, the problem runs even deeper than that because tooth loss also affects the health of the jawbone.
Like the rest of the body, the jawbones require regular exercise to remain strong and healthy. Since this stimulation normally comes from the teeth during the chewing process, it disappears when a tooth is lost. Without this exercise, the jawbone will begin to atrophy and recede beneath the empty socket, which can pull neighboring teeth out of alignment and make them more vulnerable to injury and decay. This can become a brutal cycle of tooth loss. Over time, the whole mouth can appear to sink into the face, leaving the patient with an elderly, withered appearance.
How Can Dental Implants Make Me Look Younger?
While traditional restorations like bridges and dentures can restore a patient’s beautiful smile, they cannot address the underlying issue of bone loss. Dental implants, on the other hand, function exactly like real teeth because they are surgically placed directly into the jawbone. This allows them to provide it with the exercise that was lost with the missing teeth, which can prevent or even reverse bone loss in the jaw. Since dental implants are incredibly lifelike, you’ll never need to worry about casual observers noticing that they aren’t natural teeth.
Dental implants are the best way to replace lost teeth currently available, and they can keep you looking great for decades or a lifetime with proper care. Consulting with your dentist can determine if dental implant treatments are right for you.
About the Author
Dr. Gus Bal earned his dental degree from the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine and completed a fellowship in Implant Dentistry at New York University. He has been awarded the “Best Dentist in Scarborough” by the Readers Choice Awards for four consecutive years, most recently in 2017. His office in Nepean, ON offers general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry in addition to dental implant treatments. For more information on what dental implants can do for you, contact his office online or dial (613) 800-1800.