Do We Need ALL Our Teeth? | South Florida Center for Periodontics & Implant Dentistry (2024)

FAQs

Do We Need ALL Our Teeth? | South Florida Center for Periodontics & Implant Dentistry? ›

You don't need your teeth to survive, but healthy teeth really do equal a better quality of life. A full set of teeth allows us to eat a variety of foods, enough to provide for essential nutrition. But missing even one tooth can result in all sorts of issues including: Shifting of adjacent teeth.

The Importance of Having All Your Teeth

But when you have lost a tooth or multiple teeth, for whatever reason, you begin to chew your food differently. After a while, you will not be able to chew your food all the way, and you will start digesting your food wrong as well. Missing teeth can also affect your speech.

Some use two or four; others use six or more. Depending on if it's your upper or lower jaw, fixed or removable option, the total number of dental implants used will vary from one person to the next.

Generally speaking, age is not a factor when it comes to determining candidacy for dental implants.

The major disadvantage of dental implants is that it is costlier than other tooth replacement options like bridges and dentures. A single implant can cost you thousands of dollars. Dental implants are more like a one-time investment.

Single dental implants work just as well as full-arch dental implants but do not require the removal of all of your teeth! The only parts removed are any remaining damaged teeth so that the implant can be placed, leaving all your healthy teeth intact!

If you are missing all of your teeth, an implant-supported full bridge or full denture can replace them. Dental implants will replace both your lost natural teeth and some of the roots.

An implant is rarely used to replace multiple teeth on its own, but it can be combined with another to replace up to six teeth. That means an implant on its own can support a max of three artificial teeth.

The duration of toothlessness during dental implant treatment varies from patient to patient. It's important to understand that the process involves multiple stages, and the overall timeline can span several months.

Are you missing teeth, or having problems with an ill-fitting denture or bridge? If so, you should consider dental implants. The next best thing to real teeth, dental implants are designed to look, feel, and function like your natural teeth so you can be confident in your smile.

Is it worth getting dental implants at 70 years old? ›

Is it worth getting dental implants at 70 years old? Yes! Dental implants can significantly improve quality of life for seniors. They provide a long-term, stable solution for tooth loss and can prevent bone loss in the jaw.

The dentures cost in India varies from Rupees 12000 to Rupees 85000 depending on the material selected by the patient.

Some oral health issues that may prevent a person from being eligible for dental implants include inadequate hygiene, periodontal disease, and insufficient jawbone mass.

One common misunderstanding about dental implants is the belief that they must replace all of your teeth. While this might apply to patients with extensive tooth damage or loss, many individuals only need one or a few dental implants. There's no requirement to replace your healthy teeth.

Dental implants cost more than other tooth replacements because they involve multiple procedures, advanced materials, and expertise from specially trained professionals.

Tooth implant surgery is a routine dental procedure with a high success rate of over 98%. It is performed only in patients who are in reasonably good health and possess enough jawbone. Sometimes bone preparation is needed, hence bone grafting is done prior to implant surgery.

You can live without them. There are significant problems with living without teeth, but you can survive. Your brain, your internal organs, and a few other things are required to just survive, to be alive. Healthy teeth and a healthy mouth are essential to a good quality of life.

Over time, the jaw bone itself begins to recontour, shrink and deteriorate because there are no teeth in the jaw to keep the bone stimulated. This causes dentures to become loose, ill-fitting, painful and dysfunctional. In fact, a denture must be re-made every 3-5 years in order to provide optimal function.

Lost teeth can cause the bones in your mouth to weaken and become less dense. Over time, the bone loss will affect the shape of your entire lower jaw. The chin will shift upward and angle slightly to point more forward. Your mouth's width will also decrease.

You Will Survive, But…

You don't need your teeth to survive, but healthy teeth really do equal a better quality of life. A full set of teeth allows us to eat a variety of foods, enough to provide for essential nutrition. But missing even one tooth can result in all sorts of issues including: Shifting of adjacent teeth.