{"id":89,"date":"2024-08-08T19:54:44","date_gmt":"2024-08-08T19:54:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dentistryforlife.com\/blog\/?p=89"},"modified":"2024-08-12T19:55:05","modified_gmt":"2024-08-12T19:55:05","slug":"how-tooth-loss-can-change-the-shape-of-your-face","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dentistryforlife.com\/blog\/?p=89","title":{"rendered":"Smile Gaps & Age: How Tooth Loss Can Change the Shape of Your Face"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It almost goes without saying that lacking teeth affects your smile. When your pearly whites go missing, your grin doesn’t look as good as before. That said, did you know that tooth loss can change the shape of your face? Leaving your smile gaps untreated will make you seem older than you really are. Read on to learn more about the problem, including how dental implants<\/a> from your Lancaster dentist can prevent and reverse it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Without Teeth, Your Jawbone Erodes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Losing teeth does make your smile look bad and work poorly; that isn\u2019t in question. Still, the issue can also degrade your face\u2019s shape if it isn\u2019t addressed quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You see, your jaw needs all your teeth to maintain its shape and density. The stimuli from chewing and biting help preserve the jawbone\u2019s tissue. To that extent, losing just one or two teeth will cause your jawbone to slowly erode and shrink. This process can then lead to a facial collapse \u2013 a condition that makes your cheeks look hollow and sunken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dental Implants: The Solution to an Aged Face<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that dental implants prevent and reverse this erosion. Since they don\u2019t work like dentures or dental bridges, they keep your face from changing shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember: dental implants actually fuse with the jawbone. Once placed in the jaw, new bone tissue grows around the posts to keep them secure and stable. That means implants can act as substitute tooth roots and provide the stimuli your jawbone needs. By chewing and biting with them, your face will become (or stay) fuller and firmer than it\u2019d be otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Care for Dental Implants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

All that said, dental implants only prevent facial collapse when they get proper care. You\u2019ll need to maintain them if you want your face to look youthful. Given that fact, please use the tips below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n