Why is replacing missing teeth so important?
Replacement of missing teeth is essential to maintaining the jawbone. That is why a tooth should be replaced very soon after it is lost. Dental implants are man-made replacements for natural teeth. The actual dental implant replaces the root of the missing tooth. It is then used as an anchor to secure the replacement tooth or teeth. Implants allow us to replace missing teeth without harming the healthy natural teeth adjacent to the space. This reduces the future risk of root canals and decay under crowns. Over time, due to lack of use, more of the jawbone disintegrates until it becomes quite difficult to place an implant restoration.
Psychological Significance of Tooth Loss
20% of edentulous (without teeth) patients don’t wear both removable prosthesis all the time.
7% of edentulous patients are not able to wear
their dentures at all
88% of denture wearers have difficulty with
speech
(NIH Oral health of US Adults National Findings Publ. No87 1987
For more information on the health benefits of dental implants, please see Dr. Gibbs' blog site at http://smileglenellyn.typepad.com/blog/