Have you been glancing in the mirror lately and thought, “Something looks…different.” Hopefully the issue is simply a stray eyebrow hair, but if you’ve had missing teeth for a while now, it’s possible that your facial structure has actually changed. When pearly whites go MIA, it can affect your appearance in a couple of different ways. Fortunately, it’s never too late to replace your dental gaps with a quality restoration!
Jawbone Shrinkage
Your jawbone, like any other part of your body, needs proper circulation so that it can receive essential nutrients from your bloodstream that help it grow and maintain itself. Now, since it’s not used in the same way a lot of your other bones are, it relies on your teeth to provide it with stimulation that promotes circulation. By transferring chewing pressure from the crown to the dental root, a tooth essentially helps your jawbone keep its shape.
As you might guess, if that tooth goes missing, the jawbone doesn’t receive as much stimulation, circulation, and nutrients. As a result, it starts to shrink. This can change the shape of your jawline, drastically impacting your facial structure.
Sagging Skin
Just one of the reasons why bones are so important is that they help support and give shape to your skin. Unfortunately, this means that if a portion of the bone starts to shrink, nearby skin will start to sag. So not only can jawbone deterioration alter your facial structure, but also your “skin structure.” Over time, you might start to take on a tired, sunken appearance. This isn’t exactly ideal for most people.
It’s Not Too Late to Replace Your Teeth
The good news is that it’s not “too late” to replace your missing teeth and improve your facial aesthetics. Dental implants in particular have the unique ability to prevent jawbone shrinkage. Since they involve titanium posts that are anchored directly to the bone, they’re able to provide much of the same stimulation that natural teeth can. Over a period of three to six months, your jawbone will actually grow around the implant, and it won’t be deteriorating anytime soon! Dentures and bridges, meanwhile, can slow the rate of shrinkage, preserving your youthful features for longer.
If you’re worried about how your missing teeth could be affecting your appearance, it’s worth scheduling a consultation with your dentist!
About the Author
Dr. Sarfraz Verjee has been helping patients feel confident in their smiles for over 15 years. As a skilled dentist who actively pursues continuing education opportunities, he’s well-qualified to replace your missing teeth with a quality restoration like dental implants or dentures. If you’d like to preserve your facial features, contact Dr. Varjee’s office at 713-943-9993 to schedule your consultation.