Did you know that about 70% of the population suffers from at least one missing tooth? The percentage is especially high in areas with a higher population of retirees. Since Colorado Springs, CO has been rated one of the top retirement destinations in the nation and has a very tight-knit retirement community, cheap the demand for dental services the correct issues concerning missing teeth that can arise is high.
There are plenty of areas where a missing tooth can affect you. While missing fronts can affect your outward appearance, the real problem lies in the back teeth and is not related to aesthetics at all. If you are wondering whether or not you need dental implants because of a missing back tooth, read on and find out why your back molars are so important.
Missing Teeth Can Lead to Bone Loss
You might not be able to see missing posterior teeth, but you can certainly feel the difference with your tongue. One of the main issues that will present itself when a permanent molar is lost is that the alveolar bone within the jaw will begin to melt away. Unlike other bones in the body, this bone that supports your teeth needs to be stimulated to stay healthy. You might think it takes time for this to happen, but in reality as much as 25% of the bone density can be lost in the first year after losing one or more posterior teeth.
Putting More Stress on Front Teeth
As the bone deteriorates, it can lead to the loss of more molars. As the molars disappear, an individual must begin to change the way that they chew to adapt to the wear. The front teeth then bear the burden of crushing food because there are less teeth to handle the increased workload. This can affect not only your quality of life, but eventually the formation of your face as your cheeks and lips begin to sag. The problem will gradually become worse and will become noticeable in your outward appearance.
Once a posterior tooth is missing, the only real solution is a dental implant if you want to save your jaw bone and other teeth. If you or someone you love has recently lost a molar, be sure to consult cosmetic dentists who are well-versed in dental implants in Colorado Springs so that you can go over the options early on.
Sources
If A Back Tooth Is Lost, Will You Miss It?, deardoctor.com
Oral Health and Bone Disease, niams.nih.gov
