Missing teeth are more than a cosmetic issue. They can interfere with chewing food properly and may lead to teeth shifting out of place. Some individuals with missing teeth develop speech impediments, which can be improved if they get prosthetic teeth. There are a few dental solutions that can improve the lives of individuals with missing teeth. The following points discuss dental implants and why they are a good choice for individuals who have one or more missing teeth.

Protect Gums and Remaining Teeth

Teeth work together in an individual's mouth. Missing teeth leave gaps and may allow bacteria to enter the gum sockets of nearby teeth. The bacteria can cause new problems such as gum disease, which can lead to the loss of more teeth. It may also lead to tooth decay. The teeth that are missing make the other teeth vulnerable because they have to work harder to perform actions such as chewing. This can lead to the intact teeth shifting out of place and the gums pulling away from them. The process puts the intact teeth at risk.

Semi-Permanent Solution

There are other solutions for missing teeth such as dental bridges and dentures. However, dental implants offer the most permanent solution for missing teeth. They are viewed as semi-permanent, but many individuals who have them will have them for a lifetime. The implants are treated like natural teeth. They are implanted into the jawbone and heal securely. Individuals must brush and floss their dental implants like their natural teeth. They must also continue to go to their routine dental appointments to ensure their oral health.

Improved Physical Appearance

Dental implants can make individuals look years younger than they would with missing teeth. Facial appearance may be affected when individuals have multiple missing teeth. This is often because of a loss of bone tissue over time. Their jaws may look sunken because of the lack of teeth to support their faces. 

Jawbone Protection

The jawbone requires stimulation to continue to regenerate bone tissue. Missing teeth interfere with this process. If there are not any teeth to stimulate the jawbone, gradual bone loss will occur. Some individuals who get dental implants have to get bone grafting to regenerate bone loss due to years of missing teeth. Getting implants before bone loss occurs may eliminate the need for bone grafting. 

A dentist is a good resource to use to learn more about dental implants. They can perform examinations and gather information to determine if individuals are a good fit for the procedure.