Total Tooth Replacement - Why You Need It
Restoring all of your teeth with complete tooth replacement therapy does far more than simply improve your smile and confidence – though these are an important component of the therapy. More important than these however is this – total tooth replacement using dental implants will protect the shape and integrity of your jawbone, your mouth, and your entire face.
Restore All of Your Teeth with Dental Implants
A mouthful of missing teeth leads to long-term health issues, as well as the possibility that your face may "collapse" leaving you feeling terrible about the way you look and causing problems with eating, poor digestion, frequent gum infections, and inflammation.
When you lose your teeth, there are no tooth roots remaining in the jawbone to stimulate bone growth. As a result, the body senses the jawbone is no longer necessary and begins to dissolve it away. This results in what is known as "facial collapse". This can make it difficult, if not impossible, to wear traditional dentures because there is little bone left to support them.
Further, as your jawbone continues to "melt" away, your facial muscles will migrate, pulling back from their natural position and distorting the shape of your face. Your lips will "cave in" as they lose support. This will cause the lower portion of your face to shrivel up, leading to what is known as "witches chin". You’ll develop wrinkles around your mouth, commonly known as "marionette lines".
These changes to the structure and shape of your face will make you look much older; up to 20 to 25 years older! And, if looking 75 when you're just 50 years old is not enough, the deterioration of your jawbone due to total tooth loss may also lead to increases in cardiovascular disease. Multiple studies have shown that poor oral health and the increased potential for gum disease can increase the risk of cardiovascular issues, such as:
- Coronary artery disease: 2 to 4 times greater
- Stroke: 2 to 3 times greater
- Adverse pregnancy outcomes: 4 to 7 times greater
- Diabetes: 2 to 4 times greater
- Chronic respiratory disease: 2 to 5 times greater
If you're struggling with tooth loss, whether just a single tooth or a mouthful, dental implants can definitely help you to improve your dental health in general, as well as making you look and feel better. Dental implants look feel and look like your real teeth, are stable and comfortable and, when properly place and cared for, should last you a lifetime.
The doctors and staff at the The Colorado Center for Implants and Prosthetic Dentistry, are your full-service Littleton dental implants specialist and experts in total tooth replacement. If you would like more information on your family’s dental needs, make an appointment today.