Life with even just one missing tooth can prove challenging – most obviously, the issue will impact your ability to chew, speak, and smile. But did you know that tooth loss can alter the very shape of your face and even make you look older than you actually are? Here’s a closer look at how missing teeth impact your facial structure and appearance, and why replacing those teeth with dental implants is one of the best ways of addressing the situation.
How Missing Teeth Can Make You Look Older
To put things simply, your jawbone isn’t able to support the structure of your face anymore if you have missing teeth. Your jaw relies on the stimulation provided by your teeth through their roots to remain healthy and vigorous. Without the support that your teeth provide, your mouth and cheeks can sink, shrink, and sag, which is often referred to as facial collapse and is heavily associated with premature aging.
Here are some of the changes that can make you look older as a result of tooth loss:
- Facial angles – When teeth are lost, the height of the jawbone is also affected, lowering your overall facial height.
- Facial wrinkles – Facial angulation changes can cause vertical lines that make you appear older than you are.
- Frown appearance – The loss of shape around the corners of the mouth can make you appear perpetually unhappen or even angry without you realizing it.
- Bite changes – Tooth loss changes how the teeth come together, referred to as the bite pattern. If your bite becomes uneven, it can create a harsher facial appearance as the corners of the mouth lose their shape.
- Cheek jowls – When some of the jawbone is lost, it causes muscle ligaments to weaken, allowing for the sagging of facial tissue.
- Thinning lips – Without teeth to support the appearance of full lips, they can appear much thinner; additionally, weakened muscles around the mouth can make the lips appear longer.
How Replacing Missing Teeth Can Prevent Premature Aging
Tooth replacement is not a modern procedure by any means; people have been attempting to replace teeth for thousands of years. However, solutions of the past often did nothing to prevent the jawbone deterioration that resulted from tooth loss. These days, dental implants can offer that exact advantage.
Since they’re surgically embedded directly into the jawbone, they act as replacement tooth roots and restore healthy stimulation to the bone tissue, encouraging it to continue growing and supporting your face. This increased jawbone support means that your teeth aren’t just restored – your facial appearance is, too.
If you have missing teeth, don’t hesitate to speak with your dentist to see if dental implants are a viable option for not just restoring your oral functionality, but turning back the clock and enjoying a more youthful appearance!
About the Practice
Our team here at Worcester Dental Arts has served families in the Worcester community for several years, offering a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatment options, including dental implants! If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our team to set up an appointment for yourself or a loved one, please visit us online or call us today for additional information or assistance. Telephone: (508) 793-2114.
