The Ageing Effects of Missing Teeth

Restoring lost teeth with dental implants.

Many of our patients who visit us from Chinnor and Thame as well as Princes Risborough, where we are situated, mention that they have noticed an ageing effect following the loss of some of their teeth.

Even if the missing tooth is not an obviously visible one, it can still have a surprising effect on the appearance of the person who has lost them.

Bone loss

When a tooth is lost, whether through decay or an accident, it is not only the tooth itself which is lost, but the bone in which the tooth was previously held.

Even with a single tooth, this can make a difference to the person’s appearance, but when a number of teeth are missing, this change becomes even more pronounced.

Following the loss of teeth, the bone in the jaw, which has previously had the role of supporting the teeth, “realises” that it no longer has to fulfill this purpose, and, consequently starts to deteriorate.

This bone however, not only supports teeth but also other facial features such as lips and cheeks. Very often a person with missing teeth will have sunken cheeks which make them appear to be older than they possibly are.

This “ageing” look can be prevented however, through the use of dental implants.

Replacing the missing tooth

Whilst other alternatives such as dentures or a bridge can be used to replace a missing tooth, these only restore the appearance of the teeth and do nothing at all to the bone structure.

The dental implants that we place at the Bank House Dental Centre, on the other hand, not only replace the tooth, but, because the titanium implant is placed into the bone, prevents the bone from deteriorating as it presumes it still has a tooth to support.

Whether using one or several dental implants to replace missing teeth, there can be little doubt that this is the most effective solution to restore a person’s smile and prevent bone loss.

Not only that, but dental implants are very robust and with suitable care, can last for twenty five years or more.

To prevent the ageing appearance caused by missing teeth, call the Bank House Dental Centre on 01844 343381 to arrange a free initial dental implant consultation.