Usually, people don’t need much persuading to get missing front teeth replaced. The improvements in appearance, speaking, and bite function are obvious, and the implant is easy to place. However, people may struggle to understand why it is also critical to their oral health to replace missing molars. At All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, we’re experienced providers of dental implants and general dental care, and we want to make sure our patients understand the relation between teeth and head shape.
Molars are held in place by ligaments and, depending on whether they are in the lower or upper jaw, two or three roots. They are well-secured, but the jaw depends on the teeth to stimulate its growth of new tissue. When a tooth is missing, the nearby jaw bone will recede, often losing as much as twenty-five percent of its width within just the first year. As the jaw continues to lose tissue, the patient’s face will lose height. This could put excessive force on the temporomandibular joints, which connect the lower jaw to the skull, and can result in bite collapse. If a person attempts to use their front teeth for chewing, they risk pushing their front teeth outwards and causing further jaw pain.
The good news is that an implant can prevent further bone loss. The implant post stimulates the growth of new bone tissue through a process called osseointegration, and it can last for over ten years. Patients who have already lost a large amount of bone tissue may require a bone graft before they can receive an implant, but the completed prosthetic will allow them to chew normally.
Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment, call 858-270-4904 or visit All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.
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