Since we started writing this blog in 2012, our aim has always been to disseminate content related to dentistry and oral health in a clear and accessible way for anyone with or without knowledge of the subject. In other words, to educate. With this in mind, more than a year and a half ago I embarked on an adventure with the help of Juan José Martínez VázquezThe aim of writing a book to bring a world as complex as the world of the dental implants patients and onlookers.
Now, some time later, the book is in our hands and I can say that I am proud of it. In this blog entry I will try to reproduce, in a summarised and schematic way, its first pages, not only to offer a preview of the content of the book to anyone with some interest in it, but also because in those pages I try to answer, without doubt, one of the questions I hear the most in the office when talking about implants: Why should I replace my missing teeth?
I am Fernando García Vélezimplantologist and clinical director of Vélez and LozanoI will try to explain why.
Consequences of losing a tooth
A. At the oral level
It is very common to think "why am I going to replace a tooth, if you can't see it...".
As a dentist I have heard this statement on countless occasions, and I always respond to my patients in the same way, our teeth are in constant movement, therefore, losing a tooth and not replacing it translates into numerous risks including tilting, extrusion and falling out.
These small imbalances increase the risk of caries by storing food debris, as well as causing periodontal problems or problems with the tissues that support the tooth due to inadequate support or hygiene difficulties. It should also be added that from the moment we lose the organ of the tooth we begin to lose bone mass, specifically up to 50% is lost in the first two years and a continuous loss in the following years, although at a slower rate.
Dental implants help to replace lost teeth in the least traumatic way for the surrounding environment, avoiding periodontal problems and caries due to tooth movement. At a bone level, they do not prevent the loss of bone mass, but they do slow it down and the sooner we place the implant, the more bone we will have and the simpler the techniques will be, increasing their success.
B. At the systemic level
It is important that food is well mashed and spends some time in the mouth, so that more saliva is generated, the food bolus is well lubricated and the enzymes in the different fluids can act on the nutrients so that they can be absorbed.
Good chewing not only improves the assimilation of nutrients, it also stimulates the immune system, gives us the feeling that we have really eaten and avoids snacking between meals, as well as self-cleaning of the teeth.
C. Aesthetically
Teeth and their surrounding tissues do not only have chewing functions. They help us to speak and support facial tissues.
When teeth are lost, the tissues that support them atrophy, which is accentuated if removable prostheses are used. This has an effect on the face, as they collapse as they are not supported.
These are just some of the reasons why we should replace our missing teeth, but there are more. If you liked the post and are interested in the subject, you should read the full book, which you can get here: FREE DOWNLOAD