Before the availability of dental implants, replacing your missing teeth meant getting a removable partial or full denture. Since everyone is not a candidate for teeth implants, these options are still available today but do not offer as many benefits. Dr. Heather Adams offers multiple dental implants in Rogers, AR for patients missing more than one tooth or an entire row of teeth.
What Happens When You Have Multiple Missing Teeth?
Losing multiple teeth can affect more than just your smile. It can make it harder to chew, change the way you speak, and even lead to other dental problems over time. If you do not replace missing teeth, you can experience these problems:
Difficulty Eating
Teeth help you break down food so your body can absorb nutrients properly. When you have multiple missing teeth, it can be harder to chew certain foods. Crunchy fruits, vegetables, and meats can be difficult to eat without the support of your teeth. You may start avoiding these healthy foods. Over time, this can lead to poor nutrition and affect your overall health.
Speech Problems
Your teeth help you pronounce words clearly. Gaps in your smile can change the way air moves through your mouth, making it harder to speak properly. You may find yourself slurring words or struggling to pronounce certain sounds. This can make conversations frustrating and impact your confidence.
Shifting Teeth
Your teeth are meant to work together like a team. When one or more teeth are missing, the surrounding teeth may begin to move into the open space. Over time, this shifting can cause your teeth to become crooked or misaligned. This can lead to bite problems that make it harder to chew comfortably. It can also cause jaw pain.
Bone Loss in the Jaw
Your jawbone stays strong because of the stimulation it gets from your teeth when you chew. When teeth are missing, the bone underneath no longer gets that stimulation and can start to shrink. Over time, this bone loss can change the shape of your face. It can make your cheeks look sunken and your jawline weaker so you look older than you are.
More Wear on Remaining Teeth
If you are missing several teeth, your remaining teeth have to work harder when you bite and chew. This extra pressure can cause them to wear down faster, making them more likely to break, chip, or develop cavities. It can also lead to jaw pain or discomfort.
The Benefits of Multiple Dental Implants
If you have lost more than one tooth, multiple dental implants can be a great solution for restoring your smile. Unlike other tooth replacement options, dental implants are designed to last a lifetime with proper care. They offer a strong, natural-looking replacement that feels and functions just like real teeth.
Dental implants have an impressive success rate of nearly 98%, making them one of the most reliable options for replacing missing teeth. Here are some of the biggest benefits of choosing multiple dental implants:
Prevents Bone Loss
When you lose teeth, the bone in your jaw no longer gets the stimulation it needs from chewing. Over time, this can cause the bone to shrink and weaken. Dental implants act like natural tooth roots, keeping the jawbone strong and preventing bone loss. This helps maintain the shape of your face and keeps your smile looking natural.
Restores Chewing Power
Unlike dentures, which can slip and make eating difficult, dental implants allow you to chew with almost the same strength as natural teeth. You’ll be able to enjoy a full, balanced diet. You can eat tough foods like apples, nuts, and steak.
Protects Surrounding Teeth
Traditional tooth replacement options, like bridges, often require altering healthy teeth to support the restoration. Dental implants, however, do not rely on neighboring teeth for support. This helps keep your remaining natural teeth strong and healthy.
Long-Lasting Solution
Dental implants can last a lifetime with good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups. Other tooth replacement options, like dentures or bridges, may need to be replaced every 5 to 15 years. While implants may cost more upfront, their durability makes them a smart long-term investment.
Multiple Dental Implants in Rogers, AR
We provide multiple restorative options for patients with rows of missing teeth or all their teeth missing:
Implant-Supported Bridge
A dental bridge is typically used to replace a single missing tooth but requires reducing the surrounding teeth. When used with dental implants, a bridge is capable of replacing several consecutive teeth without having to degrade any of the healthy, surrounding teeth. Multiple dental implants are surgically placed in the jaw bone and those will be used to secure the dental bridge. At least two implants will be needed to support the dental crowns located on each end of the bridge.
The greatest benefit to using multiple dental implants to support a bridge is that it doesn’t compromise the structure of remaining healthy teeth. Implant-supported bridgework provides a stronger, more effective restoration that offers more structural support for the jaw and bite.
Implant-Supported Denture
Traditional dentures are made to sit on the gums and are not very durable. Partial dentures are held in place with metal clasps and remaining teeth, putting a lot of pressure on healthy teeth. Denture wearers report that they may slip around in their mouth and make it difficult to eat certain foods.
Implant-secured dentures are the number one solution for people missing all or most of their upper or lower teeth. If you are missing most or all of your teeth or struggle with ill-fitting dentures, you should consider implant-secured dentures. Multiple dental implants (anywhere from two up to eight) are surgically placed in the jawbone. They can permanently secure the denture.
When dentures are anchored by dental implants, they will not slip around or shift in the mouth. They offer almost full function of your natural bite as well as beautiful aesthetics. And the best part is there is no need for glue or adhesives. They are the more comfortable and long-lasting solution when replacing missing teeth.
Restore Your Missing Teeth
Learn more about how multiple dental implants can replace all your teeth and improve your quality of life. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Adams, your trusted dentist in Rogers AR. Contact our office at (479) 323-3011 to take the first step in regaining your oral health.
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