Missing teeth are a prevalent dental problem in the United States. Having a missing tooth will distort your smile and have severe effects on your overall oral health. When you consult a dentist with missing teeth complications, they will recommend different forms of tooth replacement.

Dental implants are a common choice for tooth replacement. Studies show that up to three million Americans have dental implants. This type of tooth restoration involves placing a screw into your jawbone to act as a tooth root that supports the artificial tooth. Unlike other forms of tooth replacement, dental implants look and function like natural teeth and can serve you for decades.

With so many options for tooth restoration, understanding when it is time to go for implants is critical. Since dental implants are unsuitable for all individuals, you will need a competent dentist to assess your oral health and determine whether you are a good candidate for the restorations.

The following are indicators that you need dental implants:

You Have Missing Teeth

There are several ways in which you could lose your teeth, including:

  • Trauma. You could lose healthy teeth due to an impact on the jaw from a car or sporting accident. If, after the accident, the damage done to the tooth is irreparable, the dentist could remove the remaining tooth parts. Tooth loss through trauma is often unexpected and can cause severe pain.
  • Gum disease. Periodontitis, or gum disease, is an infection of the gums. The condition is a result of bacteria accumulation on the teeth and gums. Gum disease causes severe pain and can cause damage to your jawbone. This results in the loosening and loss of your teeth.
  • Extraction. A dentist could recommend tooth extraction as a result of cavities or decay. Before an extraction, a dentist will recommend other dental procedures to address your dental complications. You may need an extraction if the dentist cannot save the natural tooth through dental fillings, crowns, or root canals.

Missing teeth distort your smile and can cause chewing difficulties. Additionally, a lack of jawbone stimulation in the space left by the missing tooth can cause deterioration, leading to further dental complications. If you have one or more missing teeth, consider dental implants. A dental implant will be fitted in the space left by the missing tooth to give it a natural look. The implants will restore your smile and protect you from other complications from missing teeth.

You have Chipped Teeth

Trauma to your teeth could cause tooth chipping. Trauma, in this case, could be from an accident or habitual teeth grinding. When the chipping is minor, your dentist could recommend a crown, veneers, or other ways to mask the chip and restore your smile. Unfortunately, when the chipping is severe, bacteria can enter your tooth through the gaps and cause infection.

Additionally, chipped teeth have a weak structure and could experience extreme sensitivity. If you are looking for a lasting solution for your chipped tooth, your dentist can recommend that you undergo a dental implant procedure. Before placing the dental implants, you must book an appointment to extract the chipped tooth.

Dental implants mimic the appearance and shine of natural teeth. This makes it impossible for people to spot a difference in your teeth after the procedure. Since dental implants are attached to the jawbone, they offer a strong restoration that could last a lifetime.

Loose Dentures or Partials

Your dentist can recommend dentures for individuals with one or more missing teeth on one jaw. Dentures help replace missing teeth and restore your smile. Although dentures offer numerous benefits, complications could arise after the procedure, including improper fit and loosening.

Some symptoms that could indicate that your dentures are loose or no longer fit properly include discomfort when wearing the restorations and denture slippage when you speak or chew your food. Some of the reasons why your dentures could loosen include:

  • Changes in oral tissues. When you receive dentures for the first time, you should expect them to loosen up shortly after the restorations. This is because of the changes in the oral tissues as they heal from the trauma of tooth loss. If dentures are placed immediately after tooth extraction, they can loosen as the mouth heals.
  • Bone resorption. When natural teeth are extracted in anticipation of dentures, the jawbone could recede and shrink. Since the dentures will not be attached to the jawbone, changes in bone structure could cause loosening of the dentures.
  • Weight loss. When you lose substantial weight, your gums could shrink, resulting in poorly fitting dentures. Most people who lose weight after denture fitting may need constant refitting.

Loose dentures could cause severe discomfort. Additionally, denture slippage can result in embarrassment, making you more conscious of your smile. If you have loose dentures or partial restorations, your dentist can recommend that you undergo dental implant placement. The dental implant is attached to your jawbone and cannot slip out when you chew your food or talk.

You have a Severe Infection

If you are diagnosed with a severe tooth infection, your dentist can recommend tooth replacement with a dental implant. You can develop a tooth infection due to poor oral hygiene, injury to the tooth, or periodontal disease. If your tooth suffers an injury, bacteria can enter the inner tooth through the cracks in the enamel. If you have poor oral hygiene practices, bacteria could accumulate on the teeth, causing an infection of the teeth and gums.

A tooth infection can damage your tooth enamel, which can cause severe pain and a need for extraction. Additionally, the infection can enter your bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body, which is life-threatening. Common signs of tooth infection that could indicate that you need a dental implant include:

  • Throbbing toothache.
  • Pain that worsens when you lie down and radiates to the jawbone, neck, and ears.
  • Swelling of the gums and cheeks.
  • Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures.
  • Fever.
  • Unpleasant taste in the mouth caused by pus from the infection.
  • Fever.
  • Tenderness and swelling of the lymph nodes.

If you have a tooth infection, your dentist can explore other ways of treating it before resulting in an extraction. However, if there is a risk of spreading to other organs, you must have the tooth extracted and replaced with a dental implant. Before placing the dental implant, the dentist will ensure that your gums and jawbone have healed from the infection.

Dental implants are placed on a healthy jawbone. Therefore, if you experience signs of infection, you should seek immediate dental care to avoid damage to the jawbone, which could make you unsuitable for dental implants.

Jawbone Deterioration

Another indication that you need dentures is when you notice the effects of jawbone deterioration. Your jawbone remolds as you age. Although bone replacement is natural, tooth loss causes faster bone deterioration than replacement. Deterioration of your jawbone is characterized by:

  • Changes in your facial structure.
  • Gum recession.
  • Wrinkles around your mouth.
  • Shifting of your teeth.
  • Difficulty speaking.
  • Facial and jaw pain.

Your jawbone is preserved by stimulation through chewing and biting activities. Jawbone deterioration begins when your adult teeth are extracted and not replaced. This is because the bone on the missing tooth no longer receives the necessary stimulation. If you are showing signs of jaw deterioration, your dentist can recommend that you undergo a dental implant procedure.

Difficulty Chewing

The teeth in your mouth depend on each other to create a strong structure and effectively bite or chew your food. Losing one or more teeth weakens the structure and can cause difficulty chewing your food. This can impact your nutrition intake and overall health. Sometimes, food particles stick into the gap left by missing teeth, which could cause further dental complications like tooth decay and cavities.

If you are experiencing difficulty chewing your food due to missing teeth, consider dental implants. Unlike dentures, bridges, and crowns, implants are anchored on the jawbone, which increases their ability to withstand chewing pressure.

You are Tired of Denture Care

Dentures are a common restoration for missing teeth. Most people opt for dentures because they are affordable and their placement does not involve invasive surgical procedures. Since dentures are mostly removable restorations, you must maintain constant care to ensure that the restorations remain in good shape. Common care tips for dentures include the following:

  • Rinsing the dentures after meals. Food particles can stick under the dentures, which increases your chances of developing other dental complications. For this reason, you must remove the dentures after meals and rinse them with warm water.
  • Soak the dentures. You must soak your dentures in the denture cleaner overnight. This helps prevent them from drying up.
  • Avoid harsh cleaning agents. To prevent damage, you should avoid denture contact with harsh cleaning products and hot water.
  • Apply and remove the denture adhesives lightly. Your dentist will recommend removing denture adhesives from the dentures with water and a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Dentures are fragile, and a deviation in the care instructions could damage dentures or other oral health complications.

If you are tired of the constant care routines needed to keep the dentures in good condition, your dentist could recommend replacing them with dental implants. Unlike dentures, dental implants are permanent restorations. This means that there will be no special care for the restorations. Instead, you will continue your regular dental hygiene and dental visits.

You want a Natural and Permanent Tooth Replacement Solution

Losing your teeth could significantly distort your smile and impact your self-esteem. With many options for tooth repayment, you want to settle for an option that offers a natural and permanent look. Dental implants are custom-made to mimic the natural appearance of your teeth. This makes your smile look more natural.

In addition to their natural look, dental implants are a permanent restoration. Before an artificial tooth is attached, the dentist will allow the artificial root to attach to the jawbone, which takes up to six months. The prosthetic teeth used for dental implants are made of quality and durable materials like metal, porcelain, and ceramic. For this reason, implants can offer the support you need longer than other restorations.

Shifting Teeth

Teeth shifting occurs when your teeth move away from the jaw. Tooth extraction is a common cause of tooth shifting. The extraction impacts the tooth structure, and the jawbone could deteriorate. Shifting of the teeth will distort your smile by affecting tooth alignment and can also cause bite problems. Some of the factors that could determine the rate of tooth movement after an extraction include:

  • The position of the extracted tooth.
  • Your overall oral health.
  • The health of the teeth surrounding the extracted tooth.
  • Your age.

Teeth shifting after an extraction indicates that you may need dental implants. A titanium screw is attached to your jawbone to act as a tooth root and to support the artificial tooth. The tooth restoration acts as your natural teeth by completing the set and holding the remaining teeth in place.

Find Expert Dental Implant Services Near Me

For individuals with missing teeth, a dentist can recommend different forms of restoration, including dentures, dental implants, and bridges. Dental implants are the most desired form of tooth restoration. In addition to restoring your smile, the dental implants help you avoid chewing problems and jaw bone deterioration resulting from missing teeth. Your dentist could recommend tooth replacement with dental implants if you have lost your teeth due to dental diseases, trauma, or extraction.

Before the dental implant, your dentist must assess your jawbone's and surrounding teeth' health. This helps determine your eligibility for the procedure. The dental implant placement process is complicated and may only suit some individuals. Therefore, you must understand when you need dental implants.

The placement of dental implants is a surgical procedure whose outcome can impact your overall health and well-being. At Northridge Advanced Dentistry, we offer safe and reliable dental implant services for all our patients in Northridge, CA. Contact us at 818-701-3010 to discuss your oral health needs.