Why Replacing Lost Teeth Is Important for Your Jaw Health
Losing a tooth to dental disease or injury can affect your appearance and could affect your ability to eat and speak, but there can also be other long-term impacts beyond your mouth. The sooner a tooth is replaced after being lost, the lower the risk of problems developing.
If you’re missing one or more teeth and thinking about replacing them, make an appointment with our experienced dentists at Mosman 3D Dental to discuss your options today.
Jaw deterioration
The roots of teeth are embedded in the jawbone and continually supply calcium and other minerals to help keep the bone tissue strong. When a tooth is lost, the jawbone around it may start to weaken and shrink. This can be especially noticeable when multiple teeth are missing, altering the jawline and leading to a shrunken appearance.
Facial changes
The jaw supports muscles and other structures in the face, so a deteriorating jaw can affect your appearance in other ways. The lips, cheeks and lower part of the face may start to sag, shrink and become wrinkled, which can result in an aged appearance.
Teeth shifting
As well as being supported by the jaw, teeth rely on each other for support. If a tooth is lost, its neighbours can start to lean into the gap over time, becoming crooked. This can affect how the teeth bite together and can make some teeth harder to clean, allowing bacteria to build up and increasing oral health risks.
TMJ dysfunction
Changes in bite or jaw shape can increase stress on the temporomandibular joints (TMJ). These are the joints at the sides of the jaw, which allow the jaw to move when you eat and speak. TMJ dysfunction is a chronic condition that can cause headaches, jaw pain and other pain, and can make it more difficult to open and close your mouth.
Teeth grinding
Missing or misaligned teeth also sometimes cause involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth, a condition known as bruxism. This puts pressure on the teeth and jaws, which can cause teeth to wear down and break and can also lead to TMJ dysfunction.
Replacing missing teeth
Complications of missing teeth become more likely the longer a tooth is missing and the more teeth are lost. Replacing teeth sooner rather than later can lower these risks, though this can also depend on how the tooth is replaced.
Dentures and dental bridges that fill the gaps between missing teeth can prevent teeth shifting and changes in bite, but they can’t prevent jaw deterioration, as they are only attached in the mouth.
Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that also supports the jaw. They are placed in the jaw bone and can stimulate the regeneration of bone tissue just like natural tooth roots.
Dental implants can replace one or more teeth and may be covered by a crown, bridge or dentures. However, not everyone is suitable for implants. This can depend on your medical history, the condition of your jaw and other risk factors.
Book a consultation with a Mosman dentist
If you have missing teeth, a painful jaw or other symptoms you’re worried about, call our friendly team at Mosman 3D Dental on (02) 9969 8610 or book online to schedule a consultation with our dentists. We’ll examine your mouth and jaw and discuss your options for restoring your smile and preserving your jaw health.