Tooth loss can occur at any time. A tooth knocked out by injury, a decayed tooth, or a tooth loosened by gum disease, must be replaced as soon as possible. Although some may think that they can avoid the replacement of a tooth that is not a visible, front tooth, it is not in your best interest. Teeth need to be replaced for more than esthetic reasons; there are also issues of health and function.

• Dental implants are designed to look like your own natural teeth. Decades of implant dentistry technology research and design can render a beautiful replication of your teeth. Your implants will go undetected.

• Dental implants preserve bone health. When a tooth is lost, bone deterioration begins but an implant serves as a substitute for your tooth root, stimulating the bone and halting the degradation process.

• Dental implants function better than any removable prosthetic due to their inherent stability. While you may worry that your denture or partial denture may slip or shift, you need never worry about security when you opt for dental implants.

It is important to note that when you lose a tooth, the surrounding teeth will move to fill the space so even if you lose a back tooth, if you neglect to replace it, you could end up with large spaces or crooked, shifting teeth. This can result in bite problems or issues with your jaw. Worse still, the opposing tooth will grow longer to fill the space.