It’s estimated that around 180 million Americans suffer from tooth loss, making it quite a widespread issue! But when we think about missing teeth, we typically imagine a smile filled with gaps—however, you can also lose your back teeth, which isn’t quite as obvious whenever you grin. That said, front and back teeth alike need to be replaced promptly to avoid further tooth loss and other potential issues. Here’s more from your dentist about why you shouldn’t wait to replace a missing molar, along with why a dental implant is going to be your best option for doing so.
Why Missing Molars Need to Be Replaced
In short, every single tooth inside of your mouth is important and has a specific function. Your front teeth are flatter and designed for biting into and tearing food, while your back teeth (molars) and made to grind and chew your food. They work in tandem to help you eat, so needless to say, your front teeth aren’t more important than your back teeth merely because they’re the ones you show off when you smile.
Failing to replace missing molars can also lead to oral health issues such as:
- Deterioration of the adjacent teeth, which can lead to additional tooth loss.
- Difficulty when chewing food, which negatively impacts your overall nutrition.
- Bite misalignment resulting from dental drift, or when the remaining adjacent teeth shift toward the open gaps left by missing teeth.
- Bone resorption that leads to facial collapse.
- TMJ disorders resulting from strain on the temporomandibular joints and nearby muscles.
The Awesome Benefits of Dental Implants
When you commit to replacing a tooth, one of the first options you should consider is a dental implant; they’re considered the gold standard for replacing missing teeth! Here are four of their awesome benefits:
- Root-to-crown tooth replacement – Other options like dentures or bridges only replace the upper, visible portion of teeth; implants replace the whole lost tooth’s structure from the root to the crown.
- Natural-looking – Dental implantsare designed to blend in seamlessly with your natural smile, and people won’t even be able to tell that you’ve had your teeth replaced unless you mention it.
- Designed to last – The posts of implants are made from biocompatible materials that can fuse with the jawbone for a lasting connection.
- Easy to maintain – Caring for dental implants requires no specialized maintenance; simply care for them as you would your natural smile while avoiding poor oral habits.
Even though they’re situated at the back of your mouth and aren’t as visible or beautiful as your front teeth, your molars deserve the same level of care and consideration as the rest of your teeth, meaning that you shouldn’t hesitate to replace them.
About the Practice
The team at Harrisonburg Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is thrilled to provide an exceptional level of care for patients and families in the Harrisonburg, VA area. Under the leadership of Dr. Mario DeNicola and Dr. Monisha Khanna, they offer a wide range of services including various tooth-replacement options. If you or a loved one has a missing tooth that needs to be replaced, don’t hesitate to contact the practice today to schedule a visit. Telephone: (540) 432-6616.