Currently, around 70% of Portuguese people are missing one or more natural teeth. And of that percentage, nearly half have never replaced the lost teeth. This is an alarming statistic, largely driven by the common misconception that missing teeth are merely an aesthetic issue. In reality, tooth loss can have serious and lasting consequences for your oral health. Read on to learn more…
Consequences of Missing Teeth
Partial or total tooth loss can have several repercussions on both physical and emotional health. Here are some of the most significant impacts:
- Psychological issues: Tooth loss can lead to a significant drop in self-esteem, as it directly affects appearance. This can result in social withdrawal, causing individuals to avoid interactions. In more severe cases, it may require psychiatric support or medication to manage resulting depression or anxiety.
- Aesthetic changes: Missing teeth can alter facial structure, often causing premature aging. This happens because teeth provide support to facial tissues; without them, the face may appear sunken or wrinkled. In addition, smiling and speaking clearly may become difficult, affecting both speech and the appearance of the smile.
- Communication difficulties: The absence of teeth not only affects appearance but can also interfere with clear speech. This may lead to misunderstandings during conversations and a decrease in the quality of social interactions.
- Reduced chewing ability: With fewer teeth, chewing becomes less effective, directly affecting digestion and nutrient absorption. This can lead to a restricted diet, often avoiding harder or fibrous foods, and may result in nutritional deficiencies.
- Shifting of adjacent teeth: When a tooth is missing, nearby teeth tend to gradually move into the empty space, which can lead to alignment and bite issues. This shifting may complicate future dental treatments and further harm oral health.
- Appearance of gaps (diastemas): Spaces between the teeth, known as diastemas, may form as a direct result of tooth movement. These gaps are often considered aesthetically undesirable and may trap food particles, contributing to oral hygiene problems.
- Bite imbalance: Missing teeth can disrupt the balance between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth closes. This imbalance can cause issues such as headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, and even dizziness due to ongoing tension in the facial and jaw muscles.
Can Missing Teeth Change the Shape of Your Face? 😨
Yes, it can affect your facial structure! This happens because teeth provide essential support to the facial muscles, and their absence can lead to bone loss and changes in facial contours—resulting in a prematurely aged appearance and noticeable alterations to the shape of the face.
Dental Agenesis
The absence of permanent teeth, also known as dental agenesis, occurs when one or more permanent teeth fail to develop.
This condition may be congenital (present from birth) or may result from tooth loss caused by cavities, periodontal disease, trauma from accidents, or other medical conditions.
What Should You Do If You’ve Lost a Tooth? Read below:
The message is clear: if you’ve lost a tooth, replace it as soon as possible.
If you don’t, by the time you finally decide to treat it, the issue may have worsened—potentially leading to more complex clinical procedures.
Today, there are several solutions available to replace missing teeth and restore the health, function, and aesthetics of your natural smile.
Are Dental Implants the Best Solution?
At Atelier do Sorriso, we understand the importance of a personalized assessment of each patient’s oral health. Since no two clinical cases are the same, it’s essential to recognize that not all Dental Medicine treatments are suitable for everyone.
However, dental implants are often considered one of the best options for replacing missing teeth, as they provide long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing results.
If you have missing teeth and are unsure about your treatment options, don’t take unnecessary risks: speak with Dr. Cristhiane Hanna, a respected Implantology specialist in the Algarve, who will help you find the best solution for your case and support you every step of the way.
Choosing the right treatment requires a thorough analysis of your oral health.
h2>The 4 Stages to Solving Tooth Loss with Dental Implants
1. Preparation & Planning
A personalized assessment is carried out for each case, including all necessary exams to ensure an accurate diagnosis before implant placement. If any preliminary treatments are required, they will be performed to ensure that the patient’s oral health is optimal—allowing the procedure to be performed more safely and efficiently, while minimizing recovery time.
2. Surgery
The dental implant is placed into the jawbone. In some cases, temporary prosthetics can be placed on the same day. The procedure is straightforward and painless, performed under local anesthesia.
3. Restoration
The custom-made prosthetic (crown) is placed over the implant. This step is for cases where it is not completed on the same day as the surgery.
4. Maintenance
Patients must maintain good oral hygiene habits and attend regular check-ups to keep their oral health in perfect condition and ensure the longevity of the implant.
All-on-Four: The Best Technique for Total Tooth Loss
All-on-Four implants offer a solution for patients who have lost all their teeth or who suffer from severe jawbone atrophy, allowing for full-mouth rehabilitation without the need for bone grafts.
All-on-Four is an advanced implantology technique that enables fixed temporary prosthetics to be placed over the implants on the same day as surgery.
Through this procedure, four implants are placed in one of the arches to support the prosthetics that are fitted immediately after the surgery. These are temporary prosthetics, custom-made to meet the patient’s specific needs and preferences.
This is an excellent solution for anyone seeking a fast and effective treatment that provides the comfort and aesthetics they’ve been looking for.
With this technique, you can safely regain your smile in a single visit—guided by our expert dental professionals.
📝 Read also: Does bone loss prevent the placement of implants?
⁉️ FAQ: Common Questions About Missing Teeth and Dental Implants
1. What’s the difference between a dental implant and a crown?
This is one of the most common questions we receive from patients. A natural tooth consists of a root (beneath the gum) and a dental crown, which is the white, visible part of the tooth. A dental implant replaces the root and is made of titanium, which is not visible. The crown is the visible part, made from ceramic, composite, or resin materials that match the color of your natural teeth. If only the crown is damaged due to decay, trauma, or wear, and the root remains healthy, we can replace just the crown. However, when both the crown and root are compromised, the tooth must be extracted. In this case, a titanium implant is placed to serve as the new root, and then a custom-made crown is attached.
2. Do dental implants have a lifetime warranty?
When placed correctly and maintained well, dental implants have a 99% success rate. Reputable implant manufacturers offer guarantees, often covering the replacement of the implant in case of rare issues within the first 10 years. With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, implants can last as long as natural teeth.
3. How are implants made? Are they certified? Who can place them?
Implants come in different diameters (3 to 6 mm), lengths (4 to 18 mm), and shapes. The choice depends on your jawbone’s height and width, ensuring optimal support for the crown. They are made of titanium, a biocompatible material. There is no rejection by the body. In rare cases, the bone may not integrate properly, and the procedure may need to be repeated. However, if all medical instructions are followed, success is highly likely—our clinic has a 99% success rate.
4. Can multiple implants be placed in one day?
Yes, placing several implants in a single session is possible. In some cases, a temporary tooth can be fixed on the same day. With conventional implants, though, you may need to wait about 3 months before placing the permanent crown.
5. Is implant surgery painful?
No, it is not. The procedure is done under local anesthesia, so patients do not feel pain—similar to routine dental treatments.
6. Is the procedure long?
A simple implant surgery takes around 15 minutes, but this can vary depending on the complexity of the case.
7. What is recovery like after dental implants?
Post-surgical recovery is generally quick and easy when following the dentist’s instructions. You may be prescribed painkillers, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics, and should rest the day after surgery. Avoid physical activity, and follow any specific post-op guidance from your dentist to ensure a smooth recovery.
Book a Consultation: All-on-4 Implants in the Algarve
Use the form below to book your consultation. If you prefer, call us at: +351 915 550 999 ℹ️ (national mobile network call)
📍 Atelier do Sorriso Almancil, Faro, Algarve
Why Choose Atelier do Sorriso?
We have over 20 years of experience in dental implants, and we continuously adopt the latest trends and technologies—ensuring an unbeatable standard of care for our patients. We use advanced techniques such as piezosurgery, guided surgery, and dental lasers that enhance the quality and comfort of both treatment and recovery. These technologies offer greater precision and predictability while minimizing pain and healing time.
Thanks to modern technology and our highly qualified training, procedures like bone and gum grafts or sinus lifts are now minimally invasive, performed conservatively and with a smooth, comfortable recovery.
Today, there are more than 500 implant brands available on the market. Based on your specific case, Dr. Cristhiane will select the top-tier implants best suited for your bone type, thickness, and implant position.
We are committed to using high-quality implants from internationally recognized brands, so our patients can rely on accessible care and support anywhere in Europe if needed. Learn more about how to choose the Best Dentist in the Algarve.
Book your consultation today!
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