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More people than ever are able to enjoy a full and healthy grin in spite of any oral health issues they may have had in the past. Advances in dental technology have paved the way for innovative dental treatments, including cosmetic dentistry treatments such as teeth whitening and porcelain dental veneers. Cosmetic options allow you to cover up or treat embarrassing imperfections that may otherwise give people the wrong impression and diminish your self-confidence.

Other advancements have made it feasible for almost anyone to replace one or more missing teeth which have been lost to infection or damage, allowing patients to smile confidently again. Restoring a lost tooth, however, is more important than merely feeling attractive. One lost tooth can wreak havoc on what remains of your dental health, and can even lead to further tooth loss in the future. The Corona dentists at Dental Associates of Corona will explain the importance of replacing missing teeth.

Reasons to Replace a Smile Lost

Some patients may choose not to bother replacing missing teeth, believing that a gap or two in their smile is no big deal. The truth is, leaving your smile incomplete can lead to more serious dental issues down the line. Among problems that can stem from missing teeth are:

  • Facial Collapse: The sunken-cheek appearance which follows unattended tooth loss is known as facial collapse. If the missing tooth is in the back (a molar, for instance) you may be tempted to leave it as is. After all, it can’t be noticed when you smile, anyway. However, when you lose a tooth, your jawbone begins to deteriorate because it is not receiving as many nutrients as it once was to support the tooth. Over time, this deterioration will become noticeable in the shrunken look of facial collapse.
  • Nutrition Limitations: When your gumline is not completely filled with teeth, eating certain foods becomes difficult. Crunchy fruits and vegetables, as well as other nutrient-rich foods, can become nearly impossible to masticate. Eating any food can feel uncomfortable, and general loss of appetite is common among tooth-loss patients who can no longer enjoy their favorite delicacies.
  • Shifting Teeth—The loss of a tooth is registered by your other teeth. Occlusion (the way your upper and lower teeth fit together) is affected when remaining teeth begin to shift towards the empty socket to take up the slack. Malocclusion can lead to excessive wear on your remaining teeth as well as problems with your jaw muscles and joints.

Visit your Corona Dentists

Even if you can live with one or more missing teeth, you may be concerned with a completely destroyed smile if you do not replace them. To learn more about your options for replacing teeth, or to schedule a consultation, checkup, or cleaning, call Dental Associates of Corona today at 951-273-9580.