One in six Australian adults do not possess their full set of adult teeth. A full set of permanent teeth number thirty-two in total, but the Oral Health Tracker report card points to 15.5% of adults with fewer than twenty-one teeth. The answer to this predicament lies predominantly in the state of dental health and lack of dental hygiene. Another cause of tooth loss is when a patient experiences facial trauma
Why do we lose teeth in adulthood?
It is common for patients to not, at first, fully realise the dangers of missing teeth, a failure that then leads them to leave the dental condition to go untreated. Not replacing missing teeth with an appropriate dental solution opens up the patient to a whole host of other unwanted consequences. This is why dental practitioners encourage patients to look at viable dental solutions like a dental implant Melbourne to help protect their oral health. An artificial implant tooth is surgically inserted into the jawbone like an anchor, which is the basis for its reliable stable foundation. Advancements in implant dentistry have progressed to make same-day teeth possible.
The effects of missing teeth on health
A gap left open in the dental arch due to a lost tooth does not just ruin the look of a smile, but can trigger many other unwanted consequences.
Bone density loss
The jawbone provides the vital function of offering a solid and secure place in which to hold teeth together. And in order to perform this role, the jawbone needs to remain strong. The roots of teeth fixed in the jawbone help in protecting bone density by providing stimulation that allows it to grow. When teeth are lost, the jawbone loses the roots which are the source of stimulation.
Teeth drifting out of position
There are multiple causes that encourage teeth to shift out of their natural position. Gum recession is a common one, but so too is a gap left open in the dental arch. Not filling in the space left open by a lost adult tooth greatly increases the chance that neighbouring teeth on either side of the empty socket, will move into the vacant space.
Difficulties in masticatory function
Each tooth in the dental arch holds a special position to enable proper and efficient biting and chewing functions. When one tooth is lost, and not replaced, this can cause a disturbance in masticatory function which then opens up the possibility of digestion issues and meeting nutritional requirements become a concern.
Speech troubles
Just as is the case with eating, each tooth holds a specific position to make clear pronunciation of speech sounds possible. Persons with large gaps between teeth due to missing teeth will find that it is more of a challenge to speak clearly, as some sounds will be a challenge to enunciate.
The best way if you have teeth missing, to ensure you don’t lose any more of your natural teeth, is to opt for a suitable missing tooth replacement device. Need to consult an implant dentist for a tooth implant?
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding with any treatment plan, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.