Tooth loss can occur as a result of many factors, from accidents and injury to disease and infection. So, you have to know the implications and solutions.
If positioned out of sight, it may be tempting to leave a missing tooth untreated; but it’s not a wise decision. The most important consideration is your health, and ignoring treatment can cause a plethora of issues in the long run.
Dental implants are the most common solution, and they have an incredibly high success rate. The procedure is not as complicated as many people think, and it involves fixing a metal post to the jawbone. The post is covered with a crown or denture, and it can be titanium or a ceramic dental implant.
The process generally takes around three months; the bulk of that time is required for healing before the crown or denture is fitted. It’s not uncommon to have the implant and a temporary crown fitted in the same procedure.
It allows you to continue with life until the permanent fixture is ready to be installed, and of course, it minimizes the time in the dentist chair. The result of implants is natural-looking replacements that feel just the same as the lost teeth. If you need a recommendation you can get fillings or dental implants in Colorado Springs through booking an appointment.
What happens if your affected tooth is left untreated?
Dental implants don’t come cheap, but they will certainly pay off over time by preventing other problems.
Fortunately, many finance plans are available these days, and they restore smiles without breaking the bank.
If left untreated, the teeth surrounding the gap begin shifting toward one another, causing them to lose alignment. Overbites, crossbites, difficulty chewing food, and tooth decay are more likely, which will be far more expensive than the initial implant.
The other notable consequence is that knowingly, or unknowingly, we begin to compensate for missing teeth by chewing differently.
Much like our muscles, the jaw bone is strengthened with exercise and becomes weaker with inactivity, which can lead to bone density loss and a sagging appearance.
This is often seen when someone removes their dentures. Add to that, ineffective chewing, and this affects digestion and absorption of food. These factors can lead to reflux, indigestion, and malnutrition.
Besides the physical consequences, which should be reason enough to seek treatment, there are also psychological consequences of forgoing treatment.
For better or for worse, we live in an image-conscious society, and the perceptions of intelligence, wealth, and class are often subconsciously linked to appearance.
Your face and smile are one of the first things that are noticed, and the stigma attached to missing teeth is unpleasant; it can destroy your self-esteem.
Ceramic dental implants offer a solution indistinguishable from real teeth and are often the primary choice for people who need replacements.
Dental replacements are no longer an intimidating procedure, and they are always a good investment of time and money.
It’s best to book a consultation with an experienced and skilled dental professional to discuss the most suitable treatment options.
Everybody deserves to be comfortable and confident when sharing their beautiful smile with the world. In many instances, dental implants can make that possible.