Many patients don’t realize that the outcome of a lost tooth goes beyond affecting just your smile. In the years following tooth loss, facial features can be significantly impacted, and skin can begin to sink, sag, or become loose. This is because the missing tooth triggers a domino effect of changes that begin to transform the facial structure.
Many patients choose to replace their teeth with dental implants soon after losing a tooth to prevent this from occurring. To learn more about how you can prevent changes in appearance following the absence of a tooth, contact our Rochester, IN office today!
What Is Facial Sagging?
Facial sagging occurs as a result of missing teeth. Once a tooth is extracted or lost, the lack of stimulation between the tooth root and jawbone leads to bone deterioration. Once the jawbone deteriorates, the skin appears more wrinkled or sunken inward due to the shrinkage of bone. This is typically much more prominent when multiple teeth are missing. When the bone deteriorates, it no longer provides adequate support for the skin and facial tissues, so they begin to droop and lose firmness, resulting in premature aging of the face.
How Dental Implants Improve Facial Sagging
By having restorative treatment with dental implants, the process of jawbone deterioration and facial sagging is completely halted. A dental implant effectively substitutes the natural tooth in its entirety, leading to no further effects of deterioration from occurring. Once an implant has been placed, it provides the same level of strength and function as a natural tooth. This means the artificial tooth will be securely attached, and the jawbone will be strengthened.
If it has been a while since you lost your tooth and your jawbone has already begun to deteriorate, we provide surgical procedures to replace your lost bone so that implants can be supported in the future.
The Impact of a Healthy Smile
Maintaining good oral hygiene can significantly enhance your quality of life. By allowing patients to chew, speak, and smile more confidently, the benefits of excellent dental care are truly immeasurable. That’s why restoring a lost tooth is something that should be treated as a priority. Tooth restoration can be life-changing for patients, as it encourages the prosperity and growth of bones and tissues that comprise your facial structure.
Having a missing tooth can begin to affect both your physical appearance and your overall health rather quickly. To learn more about your options for replacing your missing teeth, contact our office today! Our team will be pleased to assist you.
