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Tooth loss is a serious dental health issue that affects millions of American adults. When a tooth is lost, it triggers a cascade of events that can include malocclusion, hyper-eruption and bone loss. Our Los Angeles dental implants dentist recommends replacing missing teeth to preserve your smile and protect your dental health.
When a tooth is lost, the remaining teeth begin to shift to close the gap. Teeth can become tipped, tilted or rotated during this process, which can lead to a misaligned bite, or malocclusion. A malocclusion can interfere with proper bite patterns and increase your risk of suffering TMJ disorders. The tooth opposite the gap loses the regular stimulation that keeps your jawbone healthy and can begin to drop into the gap in a process that is known as hyper-eruption. As the teeth drift and shift, they can become difficult to clean, and you may become more prone to gum disease and tooth decay. Your remaining teeth may also be more susceptible to fractures and other damage.
The best way to prevent these serious dental health problems is to replace the missing tooth. Dental implants are considered the gold standard of tooth replacement since they replace both the crowns and roots of the lost tooth. Contact us today to learn more about available options or to schedule your consultation.