Do We Need ALL Our Teeth?

When we’re around six years old, we start losing those precious “baby” teeth that came in a few years earlier. This rite of passage is a positive change often accompanied by adorable photographs, money and gifts. But when adults lose teeth it’s not only far from normal; it can affect your oral health.

It’s not just a question of appearance, although missing front “esthetic zone” teeth certainly negatively affect your smile. As far as we’re concerned, there are 32 important teeth in your mouth. And those back molars in particular, our toughest teeth, grind and mash nutritious food for us.

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
• Changes in facial structure
• Decrease in self-confidence
• TMJ discomfort and headaches
• Improper bite

Best Option for Missing Teeth: Dental Implants

Dental implants provide permanent solutions to missing teeth, whether it’s one tooth, multiple teeth or entire arches of teeth. With proper hygiene maintenance, dental implants can last a lifetime. Best of all, your teeth function, look and feel just like real teeth. Drs. Jeffrey Ganeles, Frederic J. Norkin, Liliana Aranguren and Samuel Zfaz are skilled periodontists with extensive experience and training in dental implant procedures and the treatment of gum disease. To learn more, call the South Florida Center for Periodontics & Implant Dentistry today at 561-912-9993.