Losing permanent teeth as an adult can be extremely stressful. Thankfully, however, there are a variety of replacement options available to close the gap in your smile and restore chewing function and clear speech while protecting your remaining teeth and jaw. But what happens if you don’t replace them immediately? Is it possible to wait too long to get restorations? Here’s a closer look at why it’s so important to address tooth loss quickly, and why you may still be able to restore your smile even if significant time has passed.
Why Do I Need to Replace Missing Teeth?
Often, when people lose permanent teeth, they wonder if it’s really that big of a deal to not replace them, especially if they are in the back of the mouth or not visible when eating, speaking, or smiling. But the truth is, even if nobody but you and your dentist can tell there’s a gap in your arch, it’s important to close it. That’s because your teeth do more than just what you see on the surface. Their roots provide important stimulation to the jawbone, which helps keep it strong, preventing the rest of your teeth from shifting out of alignment or falling out.
How Late is “Too Late” to Replace Missing Teeth?
Bone density is extremely important for maintaining your smile. After all, if your jaw isn’t strong, it can’t do what it’s designed to do, which is break down food, and open and close to allow you to communicate effectively. In most cases, the jawbone will begin to deteriorate within the first six to 18 months after tooth loss. In fact, it can lose up to a quarter of its volume by the six-month marker, and a staggering 60 percent by the end of the first year!
While in most cases you should wait about 10 weeks after loss to replace a missing tooth, it is important to do so within the first three to six months to ensure that the jawbone is strong. Although it’s likely still possible to restore it with a dental implant or other prosthetic later, the longer you wait, the more difficult and expensive it can be.
Dental Implants: The World’s Only Permanent Tooth Replacement Solution
Dental implants have quickly become the gold standard for tooth replacement. Not only are they durable and lifelike, but because they are surgically attached to the jaw, they provide important stimulation that restorations like dentures and dental bridges can’t.
For best results, you should aim to get dental implants within six months of your tooth extraction or loss; however, if this window has already passed, it may still be possible to receive treatment. In some cases, jawbone deterioration will need to be corrected first, either with a bone graft or a sinus lift procedure designed to restore the damage and rebuild the bone. Recovery from this procedure will add a bit of time to your treatment (typically about three to six months) but it may be necessary to improve your implant’s odds for success.
Remember, while it is best to replace a missing permanent tooth as quickly as possible, even if some time has passed it may still be possible to get dental implants. To learn more about this treatment and to see if you qualify, schedule a consultation with your dentist today!
About Dr. Sadhnani
Dr. Mahesh Sadhnani earned his first dental degree from the Army College of Dental Sciences in India, and his second from Boston University’s Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine here in the United States. He also proudly earned a master’s degree from Western Kentucky University. Since graduating, he has stayed current on advancements in dentistry by taking numerous continuing education courses at the Kois Center in Seattle. If you’re missing permanent teeth and looking for a lasting solution, dental implants could be the answer. To learn more about this treatment and see if you’d be a good candidate, visit our website or call Family Dentistry of Roxbury at 617-325-4633.
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