Why Your Facial Shape Might Change After Losing a Tooth

A missing tooth can obviously have an impact on the way your smile looks, but did you know that it can have consequences for your facial shape as well? If you don’t have the empty space filled in with dental implants, it could ultimately lead to facial collapse that may add several years to your appearance. Below is a closer look at how losing a tooth can ultimately change the shape of your face.

How Missing Teeth Can Affect Facial Shape

One of the key functions of your teeth is that they prevent bone loss in your jaw. Every time you use your teeth to bite or chew something, they provide stimulation to the surrounding bone tissue. If the teeth are lost, the jaw no longer receives the stimulation it requires and starts to shrink as a result. This can cause the face to lose some of its height, giving it a more sunken appearance overall.

Some of the facial changes you might experience after losing teeth include:

• A larger-looking nose.
• A constant frown due to loss of shape around the corners of the mouth.
• Thinner lips.
• Cheek jowls.
• A more pointed-looking chin.

How Can Dental Implants Help You Maintain Your Facial Shape?

Dental implants are the only form of tooth replacement that can actively help stop facial collapse. Once the implant posts have been placed in the jaw, they can act as artificial tooth roots. This allows them to provide the stimulation needed to maintain a strong jawbone. In short, dental implants work to prevent bone loss, thereby making facial collapse less likely to occur.

Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Before you get dental implants to recomplete your smile and protect your facial shape, you will need to confirm that the treatment is right for you. Your dentist will check to make sure that there’s enough bone density in your jaw to support implant posts; if there isn’t, you might have to undergo bone grafting before you qualify for implant placement. Additionally, any existing oral health issues that could cause dental implants to fail (such as gum disease) will need to be dealt with ahead of time.

Remember, having missing teeth replaced as quickly as possible could make all the difference for your facial shape in the long run. The sooner you schedule a consultation with your dentist, the sooner you can find out whether you can get dental implants to maintain a more youthful, confident appearance.

About the Author

Dr. Mark Gaches studied dentistry at the University of Southern California. He has received a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry and has earned accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He currently holds membership with the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and he’s proud to be able to offer his patients start-to-finish dental implant treatments. If you would like to rebuild your smile with sturdy dental implants, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Gaches at Infinite Smiles Dentistry in Owasso by visiting his website or calling (918) 928-2383.