For the most part, your smile looks great. It’s pearly and has a consistent line-up – right until you reach the very back, where you’re missing a molar. But no one’s going to notice that unless they’re way too close, right? So would it be such a big deal if you went without something like a dental implant?
At first, this would mostly come down to your comfort level. But over time, dental replacements become more and more important for your oral health. Here’s what you should know!
You Chew with Your Back Teeth
When you sit down to enjoy a good meal, you use your front incisors and canines for tearing and your two back molars for chewing. Backstage dental gaps can make properly grinding down your food both uncomfortable and more difficult – which in turn makes it harder for your digestive system to absorb nutrients!
A dental implant will solve this problem, and since they’re the strongest replacement option to date, you’ll be able to eat pretty much anything with ease.
Fuller Faces Look Younger
A more cosmetic problem you can face with tooth loss, even if it’s a back tooth, is hollow-looking cheeks and an incomplete smile. Your teeth are an important part of your facial structure, so when they go missing, your oral tissues start to sag. Plus, when you let out a hearty laugh or grin wide, people are likely to notice the gap in your dental line-up.
Dental implants are made out of sturdy materials and attach to your jawbone with a titanium post. With one or more of them securely in place, your smile will stay young and vibrant!
You’ll Prevent Tooth and Jawbone Loss
Fun fact about dental roots: they provide essential stimulation to your jawbone. Even one wayward tooth can cause the bone to gradually recede! Over time, the weakening structural support will make your remaining pearly whites wiggly and loose, and they could fall out entirely.
Because of their titanium posts, dental implants are the only tooth replacement that can preserve your jawbone. Their biocompatible quality allows bone to grow around the post and stay safely supported.
Ask Your Dentist About Dental Implants
Leaving a dental gap towards the back of your mouth might not be the most immediately obvious cosmetic flaw, but a replacement like dental implants can spare you from feeling the difference later in life! If you’re still in need of a solution for your missing molar, ask your dentist whether dental implants are right for you. They’ll go over the process in more detail and help your smile stay happy and healthy.
About the Author
Dr. Thomas A. Gromling has nearly 40 years of experience in dentistry. In that time he’s completed several advanced training courses, including the Misch Implant Institute restorative program. With his seasoned skills at the helm, you can trust that your dental implant treatment will benefit your smile and oral health! To contact Dr. Gromling’s office, call 540-869-4377.