The problem of missing teeth holds serious consequences for those who have lost their natural teeth, whether this is due to neglecting oral health or suffering a facial injury. Not only are there cosmetic issues concerning dental appearance to deal with as a result of missing teeth, but there are also problems with dental function.

The fewer teeth you have, the less likely you are able to bite and chew properly. Impacted masticatory operation puts at risk the body’s ability to receive adequate nutrition for proper function and to ward off illness and disease.

In addition to this, tooth loss has also been found to adversely affect day-to-day living. In a study that looked at tooth loss in the elderly in England, researchers discovered that older adults who have retained 10 of their natural teeth as opposed to those with 20 permanent teeth in their mouths were 30 per cent more likely to find daily activities such as shopping and gardening more difficult.

Reduced ability to function in old age, poor physical health, lower life expectancy and poorer quality of life are all inextricably linked with missing teeth. Finding a suitable missing tooth replacement solution can ease some of the challenges associated with tooth loss. The treatment plan most favoured by dental professionals is to use dental implants in Bromley.

At the last official count, the Association of Dental Implantology estimated that an impressive 130,000 individual implants are placed yearly. Here’s why this missing teeth replacement option remains popular in the dental industry today.

Plus points of choosing tooth implants 

The first benefit of tooth implants is that their design reinstates stable masticatory function.  Due to the implant fusing to the jawbone, there is very little possibility of it moving about the mouth or falling out. This offers unrivalled stability and the bite force to eat a diverse array of foods.

The implant system is the only dental solution to offer further protection to neighbouring teeth. The implant offers the jawbone stimulus to maintain desirable bone density quality. Without this stimulation, the jawbone may begin the process of bone reabsorption, which leads to further tooth loss and a change in facial shape. Over time, bone reabsorption causes the face to appear aged and shrunken. In saving more teeth from being lost, tooth implants help patients to retain their natural teeth and continue to enjoy all associated benefits.

By filling in the gaps left vacant by tooth loss, tooth implants offer another benefit to dental integrity – they prevent the development of orthodontic problems. Teeth are encouraged to move out of position when gaps in the dental arch are not filled in. The patient has to then spend more money to re-position these teeth back into their natural positions. 

The boost to confidence is perhaps what patients look for the most. This missing teeth replacement option offers the smile a more naturally-pleasing look and removes the challenges to speech created by tooth loss.

Once implants are installed in the mouth, the next priority is to look after their longevity. Fortunately, patients can maintain implants the same way they do natural teeth: twice-daily brushing, flossing, consuming a low-sugar diet and annual dental check-ups at the dentist.