Why Dental Implants Are Necessary After Tooth Loss
Whether you lost a tooth as a result of decay, injury, or an extraction. your dentist may recommend that you get a dental implant to replace your natural tooth. Implants are not just for cosmetic reasons. They are vital to your oral health in cases where your natural teeth are missing. Here are some reasons why your dentist may advise you to consider implants after losing a tooth.
Crowded Teeth
If you lose one or more of your teeth, the remaining teeth in your mouth may start shifting out of place. Over time, this can cause dental crowding, making your teeth crooked and causing them to overlap one another. When this happens, brushing and flossing your teeth becomes difficult.
When your teeth are too close together because of crowding, you won't be able to remove the plaque that has accumulated between your teeth. If not removed in a timely manner, plaque can harden into calculus or tartar, raising your risk for dental decay, gingivitis, and periodontal disease.
Severe periodontal disease not only causes bleeding and swollen gums, but it can also destroy the bones underneath your gum tissue. Dental implants can take the place of your missing teeth, which will prevent shifting and overcrowding while lowering your risk for decay and gum disease.
Choking Risk
Missing teeth can put you at risk for choking. When you do not have all of your teeth, you cannot chew your food well. Because of this, you may swallow large pieces of food that can get stuck in your airway.
The choking risk is especially high for individuals who have neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or for those who have suffered a stroke. Dental implants work just like your own teeth to make chewing easy and natural.
If you have neurological deficits that cause swallowing difficulties, it is essential that you get dental implants if you have lost any of your natural teeth. While your insurance may not cover the cost of your dental implants if you have gotten them strictly for cosmetic reasons, it may cover some of the cost if you need them to help prevent choking.
If you have missing teeth, talk to your dentist about the benefits of getting dental implants. He or she may also work with your insurance company or work out a payment plan with you so that you can pay your bill in manageable monthly payments.