Reviewed By Dr. Robert Barron, DMD
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Missing or damaged teeth can affect more than just your smile. They can impact your ability to eat, speak, and maintain good oral health.If you are wondering whether dental implants are the right solution for you, you are in the right place. In this blog, we explore 8 signs that may indicate that you need dental implants.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaway
You might need dental implants if you have missing teeth, loose dentures, difficulty chewing, chronic pain, or bone loss affecting your oral health and facial structure.
1. You Have Missing Teeth
Losing one or more teeth affects your ability to chew and speak properly.
Dental implants provide a permanent solution by replacing missing teeth with natural-looking replacements that function just like real teeth.
Unlike traditional bridges or removable dentures, implants do not rely on adjacent teeth for support, preserving your bone structure and oral health.
2. You Struggle to Eat Certain Foods
Missing teeth, loose dentures, or a damaged tooth can make it difficult to chew tougher foods.
If you find yourself avoiding your favorite foods due to discomfort, dental implants restore your ability to enjoy a variety of foods without hesitation. With a stable foundation, implants allow you to maintain a balanced diet and improve your quality of life.
3. Your Dentures Are Loose or Uncomfortable
If you wear removable dentures and experience constant shifting, sore spots, or the need for messy adhesives, you may benefit from implant-supported dentures.
Unlike traditional dentures, implant-supported dentures are attached to implants that integrate with your jawbone. This combination provides a stable foundation that eliminates discomfort associated with traditional dentures.
4. You Have an Infected or Severely Damaged Tooth
A tooth infection, advanced gum disease, or a broken tooth that cannot be restored may require extraction.
However, we always prioritize saving a natural tooth whenever possible. Extraction is only recommended if the tooth is damaged beyond repair.
If removal is necessary, a dental implant acts as a strong and long-term replacement. It mimics the function of natural tooth roots, preventing additional dental issues and ensuring the integrity of your oral health.
5. Your Jawbone Is Shrinking
Tooth loss leads to bone resorption, a process where the jawbone shrinks due to lack of stimulation from missing teeth.
Over time, this can cause a sunken appearance and weaken the bone density needed for future dental restorations. Dental implants stimulate bone growth, preserving bone health and maintaining your facial appearance.
6. You Notice Changes in Your Facial Structure
When teeth are missing, the facial muscles lose support, leading to structural bone loss and premature aging.
Sunken cheeks, wrinkles, and an altered jawbone structure (often referred to as ‘Denture Face’) are signs that your facial support is weakening. Dental implants prevent this by maintaining your bone volume and ensuring a natural appearance.
7. You Have Chronic Dental Pain
Persistent pain from a decayed tooth, problematic teeth, or untreated infections may indicate the need for extraction and replacement.
Ignoring these warning signs can lead to more serious oral health issues, including additional tooth loss. Dental implants provide a reliable solution to eliminate discomfort and restore full functionality.
8. Your Dental Health is Declining
If you have loose teeth, ill-fitting dentures, or frequently experience dental restorations that fail, you may need a more permanent solution.
Implants integrate with the jawbone, reducing the need for traditional treatments that require frequent adjustments.
Dr. Robert Barron: Your Trusted Oral Surgeon in Vaughan ON
At Concord Oral Surgery, Dr. Robert Barron, DMD, has been helping patients restore their beautiful smiles since 2004. A highly experienced oral surgeon, he is a member of the Canadian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and a Diplomate of the National Dental Board of Anesthesia.
To book a dental implant consultation at our oral surgery office in Vaughan, call (905) 669-2616 or complete the appointment request form. We are located at 3300 Highway 7 West, Suite 805.
