All dentists maintain that natural teeth serve us best. Whether it's speaking, eating or maintaining a youthful appearance, excellent oral health with a full set of pearly whites remains an asset to overall well-being.
But, what if you've lost one or more teeth? Should you replace them? The American Academy of Implant Dentistry answers with a 
resounding "Yes!" The professional staff at Premier Dental Care in Watertown, MA agree and offer many tooth replacement options, including cutting-edge dental implants.
Consequences of Not Replacing a Tooth
Several deleterious things happen when a tooth is lost to decay, injury, periodontal disease or infection. Consider these consequences well-documented by dentists through the years:
- The gap left by tooth loss detracts from the individual's appearance, resulting in a loss of confidence when speaking and smiling in public.
- Neighboring teeth are undermined, drifting into the empty space and often becoming loose and misaligned.
- The alveolar ridge, or part of the jaw bone which supports tooth roots, deteriorates with a year after tooth loss. As time goes on, the bone underneath the ridge becomes narrower and less dense as well.
- Gums recede around the empty tooth socket.
- Bite diminishes and facial wrinkling and sagging appears, giving the individual a prematurely aged look.
All these consequences intensify when a patient loses multiple teeth. While partial and full dentures and fixed bridgework are traditional replacement options, they carry problems of their own. Full dentures often slip, causing issues with speech and eating. Fixed bridgework, while attractive, requires that the surrounding teeth be ground down to accept crowns to anchor the appliance. None of these replacement solutions lasts and needs replacement down the road.
The Best Tooth Replacement Option
The dental implant is a far superior option. A complete tooth prosthesis, an implant is made up of a titanium screw surgically placed right where the natural tooth resided. After a period of healing and osseointegration where the jaw bone actually melds with the implant, the dentist attaches a metal post and then a customized porcelain crown to finish the restoration. The procedure is done right in the office with simple local anesthesia.
Even individuals whose jaw bones have receded can receive implants because the doctor can augment the jaw with donor tissue or bone paste to strengthen it. Additionally, dental implants have a success rate of 98 percent and last for decades with proper dental hygiene and examinations.
Find out more
Are you interested in dental implants in Watertown to avoid the consequences of tooth loss? Why not contact Premier Dental Care and talk to:
- Jinous Hassanein DMD
- Rayan Kafri DMD MScD
- Matthew Lann DDS
These caring professionals and their support staff possess the highest levels of skill and education to deliver a wide range of dental services--from important preventive care to root canal therapy, periodontics and dental implants. Call (617) 923-8100.