Does it Matter If You Lose a Back Tooth?

Any dentist in Ajax understands that tooth loss is upsetting, but somehow, losing a tooth at the back of the mouth might not seem so serious. In fact, if you do lose a back tooth, does it really matter that much, as, after all, it can’t be seen, and do you even need to restore it? The answer might surprise you, as unless it is a wisdom tooth, its loss does matter, and yes, you definitely need to replace it.

Why Should I Replace a Back Tooth?
The problem with tooth loss in Whitby extends much further than mere aesthetics, although, of course, that is important! One critical consideration when you lose a back tooth is the effect on the bone that used to surround it. Your teeth are surrounded by alveolar bone which needs the stimulation provided by tooth roots to remain healthy. This stimulation comes from the minute stresses that are transmitted by your teeth every time you bite or chew. Without these stresses, the bone is gradually absorbed. Incredibly, when you lose a tooth it can cause a 25% decrease in alveolar bone width in just the first year afterwards, and bone loss continues, albeit at a slower rate during subsequent years.

How Can Bone Loss Affect Oral Health?
Eventually, this bone loss can destabilize adjacent teeth, and if you continue to lose back teeth, your ability to speak and chew properly is impaired. Also, losing several teeth in Pickering can affect your facial appearance, changing the contours of your cheeks and lips as support for your facial muscles gradually declines. It’s an effect that can be prematurely ageing, which is the last thing anyone wants.

How to Replace Back Teeth
There are two ways you can effectively replace back teeth. The first is to have a dental bridge in Newcastle that is supported by the adjacent teeth. It’s a tried and tested solution that has been used for decades and which relies on these adjacent teeth being strong and healthy. These adjacent or abutment teeth are substantially reshaped as they must be crowned. The dental crowns are attached to the replacement tooth that will rest on your gums. However, a dental bridge may not be the optimal solution as it can place a lot of stress on these abutment teeth and grinding them down may be undesirable, especially if they are healthy and free from tooth decay. An alternative and more modern solution is to consider a dental implant.

Why Choose a Dental Implant?
One significant reason for choosing a dental implant is because it will help to prevent further bone loss. A dental implant in Clarington is the only solution that can provide this benefit because it replicates a natural tooth root, restoring those tiny stresses to the alveolar bone. Also, a dental implant consists of a post that is inserted into the jawbone and which actually fuses to living bone. This creates an incredibly strong and stable anchorage point so that once the implant is restored with a new crown, you will be able to eat virtually anything you like

Easy to Care for
Dental implants are incredibly easy to look after and especially because single implants are brushed and flossed just like real teeth. There is no need to use any special tools, and provided you care for your dental implant in Bowmanville, it should give many years of use.

Your back teeth might not be visible when you smile or talk, but they are every bit as important as your front teeth. If you do lose a back tooth, come and talk to us here at Durham Dental Solutions. Contact us today to arrange your free consultation and discover if dental implants are right for you.

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