What causes tooth loss?
Dental implants are the best and most practical part of dentistry, fulfilling the dreams of many people who have lived with missing teeth for years. They can be used in a variety of creative ways to help people restore their teeth and smile. In this post, we will explore what causes tooth loss and why you need dental implants.
Why might I need dental implants?
In short, you need painless dental implants to replace missing teeth because technically, dental implants are tooth root replacements, often made of titanium, that restore function and appearance when natural teeth are removed or lost. Dental implants are the most efficient, comfortable, affordable, and practical solution we currently have for replacing missing teeth.
What are the common causes of tooth loss that lead to implants?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than a quarter (26%) of adults age 65 or older have 8 or fewer teeth. Be able to eat a healthy diet. We need more than 8 teeth to properly chew a salad or eat a fruit with hard skin, such as an apple.
When it comes to losing teeth at different ages, there are a variety of reasons why you may lose one or two teeth in sports, being punched in the face by an athlete, being in a car accident, or even unexpected injuries.
Dental implants allow you to enjoy the blessing of having new teeth as quickly as possible and with minimal pain and bleeding because dental implants look and function exactly like your natural teeth.
So what causes adult tooth loss?
Gum disease (periodontitis)
Gum disease is the number one reason people lose their teeth.[ii] It’s a complex process in which plaque and tartar build-up both on the tops of teeth and along their roots. This buildup of bacterial debris and waste leads to inflammation of the gums, and over time, gingivitis causes the bone around the roots of the teeth to be lost. If left untreated, teeth eventually become unstable and must be removed. Periodontitis is a long, slow process that is preventable with good dental habits and early intervention. Unfortunately, periodontitis often goes untreated until it’s too late. Dental implants are often used to replace these missing teeth.
Cavities (Tooth Decay)
According to the CDC, 1 in 4 adults between the ages of 20 and 64 have at least one cavity. [iii] Cavities are formed when bacteria in our mouths consume carbohydrates and secrete acid on our teeth. This acid dissolves the tooth structure, leading to weakened teeth and sometimes infection.
Over time, decay can develop into a cavity, which can cause the tooth to break or the decay can infect the nerve, leading to a pocket of pus below the gum line called a dental abscess. Either of these scenarios can lead to the loss of one or more teeth and the need for dental implants.
Trauma
The third cause of tooth loss is trauma. Car accidents, sports injuries, slips, and falls can all lead to tooth loss. The experts have treated broken teeth from baseballs, golf clubs, hitting the face with the steering wheel, or elbows with the tooth without any pain or bleeding. In many of these situations, dental implants are the treatment of choice to replace teeth lost due to trauma.
The best way to replace teeth is with dental implants
Whether you have gum disease, cavities, trauma, or any other type of tooth loss, now is the best time to replace your missing teeth with dental implants. Regardless of the cause, dental implants offer the strength, durability, and appearance of natural teeth to keep you looking your best.
Finally, we would like to encourage patients to find an implant dentist in Mississauga who has extensive training and is fully educated in the field of implant dentistry. Dental implant placement, like any other field, requires a lot of training and hands-on practice to refine the diagnostic, surgical, and therapeutic skills needed to respond to different situations. The more time an implant dentist has spent training and practicing, the better prepared they will be for the challenges your case presents.
