Many people for one reason or another are missing a tooth. Perhaps an accident, a sporting injury or even poor oral hygiene habits are responsible. Regardless, a missing tooth is more than a simple aesthetic concern.

In addition to its place in a beautiful smile a tooth performs many functions.

A tooth;

Acts as a chewing surface Prevents adjacent teeth from shifting Maintains the bone structure of your jaw Provides structural and preventative functions essential for proper oral health

Without the tooth in place to perform these tasks;

Surrounding teeth can shift and move Increased potential for decay Bone loss where the root is missing (sometimes creating the appearance of premature aging) Increased potential for gum disease

To avoid the maladies associated with a missing tooth an implant may be recommended. An implant will take the place and perform the functions that once belonged to your natural tooth.

A dental implant is a small prosthetic post that is placed into the bone of the upper or lower jaw. The post functions as the root of the lost natural tooth and serves as an anchor for a replacement tooth. Once the post has settled an artificial tooth is attached to fill the space that was once your missing tooth.

A dental implant can give a patient back their confidence, return the ability to eat comfortably and add to a clean, healthy oral environment. Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth - it is likely that no one other than you and your dentist will be able to tell the difference.

Click here to learn more about dental implants.