4 Reasons Why Tooth Replacement Is a Good Idea

Mullins SC Dentist Office

Brown-haired woman leaning back in dental chair with bib on smiling

Living your life with missing teeth might seem fine at first, but over time their absence can have negative implications. Dr. Blevins highly recommends that you consult with our Mullins dental office and take action to fill in what has been lost. If ignored, eating a nutritious diet, speaking confidently with others, and maintaining a healthy mouth will all become harder.

Here are 4 reasons why you should replace missing teeth.

1. Prevent Further Tooth Loss

Did you know that losing one tooth can affect the rest and eventually result in additional tooth loss? Once an open gap forms in your smile, your adjacent teeth will begin to lean inward as they are no longer being held back. This can result in crowding, loss of support for other teeth, bite problems, and an increased risk of tooth decay.

2. Preserve Natural Facial Structure

Have you ever noticed how someone looks when they take out their set of dentures? Their face loses a bit of shape and if they’ve had dentures or teeth missing for a long time, they could even have trouble eating or speaking. This is because missing teeth can lead to bone loss in the jaw and subsequently, a loss of facial structure.

Soon after a tooth is lost, the body takes note. Without a tooth root present, reabsorption of the minerals in the jawbone that once surrounded the tooth will begin. Over time, this automatic process can lead to a serious health condition known as facial collapse if the tooth is not replaced. Should this occur, your face will appear older and you will likely have to resort to a diet of softer foods.

However, you don’t have to let this happen to you. Through restorative efforts like bone grafting, Dr. Blevins can strengthen your jawbone where it was affected and place dental implants so the area is properly stimulated once again.

3. Maintain an Even Bite

Most people see a gap in their smile and tend to only focus on the cosmetic issue at hand. What they don’t often consider are some of the negative oral health consequences. One of those such problems is the development of an uneven bite.

Having a full set of teeth on both the upper and lower arch helps to maintain a more even bite, but when spaces are created because of missing teeth, your other teeth can shift. Depending on how many teeth you have gone, this shifting could be significant and greatly affect the way your upper teeth meet your lower teeth.

Avoid a range of problems involving your existing teeth and jaw by making the decision to replace teeth that are absent. With the help of Dr. Blevins, you can chew and speak as you did prior to tooth loss thanks to implants, snap-in dentures, or a dental bridge.

4. Improve Self-Confidence

When you smile and look in the mirror, do you feel proud of what you see or do you feel embarrassed of missing teeth? The goal of Dr. Blevins is for you to regain that sense of pride and build upon your self-confidence. This can be made possible with one of our tooth replacement solutions.

No one should have to cover their mouth when they’re laughing with friends or hanging out with family. Any of the 3 tooth replacement options we offer will fill in open gaps and restore your smile beautifully. At the end of the day, choosing what works best for you and your lifestyle is most important.

If you’ve got one or two teeth missing and don’t want to commit to the implant process, a bridge may be right for you. Or, if you want a life-long fix designed to prevent bone loss while looking and functioning like a real tooth, our dentist will recommend some iteration of the dental implant procedure.

Let’s Discuss Your Options

Our restorative dentist in Mullins, SC, can work with you to find the right tooth replacement option whether it’s dental implants, snap-in dentures, or a bridge. No matter what you choose, we want you to feel confident and comfortable with your new smile. Call Blevins Dentistry today at (843) 561-4039 or feel free to contact us online.

Schedule Your Appointment Now

We Can’t Wait to Help You Create Your Dream Smile!

Make Your Appointment