Why You Should Consider Tooth Replacement

If you’re missing a tooth, you might not think much of it beyond how the open space looks when you smile. In reality, losing teeth can put you at risk for developing dental complications like bone loss, crowding, and subsequent tooth loss if not treated by our Washington, MI, dentist.

Here are a few reasons why tooth replacement is a good idea and how it can benefit your long-term oral health.

Do I Have to Replace Missing Teeth?

Tooth replacement is in your best interest and highly recommended. As soon as you replace a missing tooth, you improve the overall health of your mouth. That’s because the space left by a missing tooth negatively can affect your nutrition, the surrounding teeth, and your jawbone.

For example, replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant benefits the look and function of your mouth while contributing to your overall oral health. We also offer other restorative options inside our Washington dental office, such as dental bridges.

Filling In Gaps in Your Smile Can Result In:

1. A Broader Diet

Missing teeth can make eating the foods we love difficult and even painful. If you limit your diet to only what your teeth can handle, you will miss out on many important nutrients. Dr. Lesinski can help you explore your tooth replacement options, like dental implants, so you never have to worry about skipping out on healthy foods. With gaps in your smile filled in, you can enjoy harder, crunchier options, not just those that are soft.

2. Improved Oral Health

Each tooth in your mouth provides support for the teeth around it. When one tooth is missing, the surrounding teeth have nothing to lean on and will tilt toward the open space.

This chain of events leads to crooked teeth that are harder to clean properly and can result in tooth decay or further tooth loss. Replacement options like a bridge or dental implants help keep natural teeth in their original positions and prevent excess hard-to-reach tartar buildup.

3. Renewed Jawbone Strength

Your body can detect when you lose a tooth and will start to absorb the minerals in your jaw to use elsewhere. As a result, the area of the jaw around the empty socket will start to deteriorate.

The patient may eventually experience facial collapse, which changes the shape of the face and makes certain dental appliances, like dentures, difficult to wear. Unlike other tooth replacement options, dental implants are placed in the jaw and act like natural tooth roots. This gives jawbone tissue the stimulation it needs to be healthy.

4. A Boost in Self-Esteem

Your smile is often the first thing people notice about you. It can say a lot about your personality. For these reasons, Dr. Lesinski offers restorative options such as the dental implant procedure for you to choose from.

If you’ve ever felt embarrassed about your smile, you owe it to yourself to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lesinski. A missing front tooth can especially make it difficult to smile confidently or meet people for the first time without feeling self-conscious.

5. Less Difficulty Speaking and Chewing

Having one or more teeth missing can lead to changes in the way you eat your food and pronounce words. For example, it’s common for people who have experienced tooth loss to only chew on one side of their mouth or chew at a slower pace. Certain words may also become difficult to say depending on where in your mouth teeth are missing.

Replacing teeth can help your jaw and facial muscles as well as realign your bite. Restoration will not only allow you to comfortably speak with others, but it will also grant you the ability to eat a variety of foods again.

Ask Dr. Lesinski About Your Options

Our dentist in Washington, MI, wants you to be happy with the smile you have. If getting there means filling in one or more gaps, it may be worth the investment. Call Washington Family Dental today at (586) 752-4545 or contact us online to get started.