Missing teeth can have a real impact on your life every day. You may have trouble eating certain foods as comfortably as you did before or feel insecure about showing off your smile. However, one complication that tooth loss can cause people may forget is their face shape can change. Keep reading to learn what often happens over time and how you can preserve your look with a reliable treatment.
Why Can Missing Teeth Affect My Facial Appearance?
Your teeth go much deeper than just what’s seen above the gumline. The roots of them are inserted into your jawbone, holding these structures in place. This is great for stability, but it also keeps your jaw strong. Daily pressure from eating and chewing gets sent down into the bone, telling your body to support it with the right nutrients.
When this stimulation goes away with tooth loss, then your jawbone will start to shrink in a process called bone resorption. It happens naturally as your body takes those minerals to use elsewhere. This reallocation, though, can lead to facial collapse. Your chin may start to look more prominent, and the skin around your cheeks and lips may sag. They may develop more wrinkles or appear sunken in. These can make you look older than you are!
Is There a Way to Avoid Facial Collapse?
While missing teeth can cause trouble for your facial appearance, your dentist offers a reliable way to prevent it. Dental implants are a tooth replacement that patients and providers alike are choosing for themselves. These are posts that are inserted and fused to your jawbone, effectively taking the role of the roots.
Your jaw will grow around it, helping it become stable and sturdy. You won’t need to worry about anything slipping, like with dentures, but rather enjoy a stronger bite that you feel more confident in. That pressure from chewing will get sent down the posts and into the bone, stimulating it and letting your body know to keep sending the necessary minerals it needs to stay healthy.
Dental implants can even last a lifetime with the proper care! Not everyone is a good candidate for this treatment right away, so you will need to partner with your dentist to ensure it’s right for you. Doing so will help you know what your next steps are to get to the confident and full smile you deserve.
About the Author
Dr. Chase Smith earned his dental degree from The Ohio State University. He is dedicated to helping the Thornville community replace their missing teeth with reliable options like dental implants. Dr. Smith can complete this entire process under one roof, letting you stay with a team you trust every step of the way. If you want to preserve your facial structure from tooth loss, schedule an appointment or call his office at (740) 246-5286.