Missing permanent teeth, or hypodontia, is a fairly common dental condition. Most individuals with hypodontia are only missing one or two permanent teeth. In addition to this condition, many individuals lose permanent teeth during their lifetime due to tooth decay, injury and gum disease. Missing teeth pose many complications that may not be realized. If patients are missing teeth, here are three reasons they need Brooklyn dental implants.

1. Improve Appearance

The most obvious complication of missing teeth is an unfavorable physical appearance. Patients with missing teeth often feel self-conscious about their smile and appearance. Dental implants offer patients a permanent, reliable solution to missing teeth. Patients can feel confident about smiling without having to worry about loose and shifting teeth. Implants also improve facial appearance by avoiding sagging skin. Teeth that have been missing for a long time can cause the skin around the mouth to sag since there is nothing for it to rest against. Dental implants improve facial esthetics for patients.

2. Reduce Pain

In addition to esthetics, the function of the mouth is greatly altered by missing teeth. Patients with missing teeth begin to develop malocclusion or a misaligned bite. A missing tooth allows surrounding teeth to shift in the mouth causing incorrect positioning. An incorrect bite causes significant pain when chewing and speaking.

3. Minimize Bone Loss

Jawbone loss is another complication of missing permanent teeth. Once a tooth is missing, the bone supporting it is no longer being used as it should be. This disuse causes bone resorption, a complex biological process that involves shrinkage and loss of the jawbone. Bone loss is responsible for many complications including undesirable facial changes and the inability to support dentures or implants. If individuals have had missing teeth for an extended period of time, bone grafting may need to be done to support implants.

Dental implants are an ideal solution for missing permanent teeth. Many dental professionals recommend placing implants after tooth loss or extraction to prevent these complications.