Edentulism, simply known as tooth loss, is a common dental problem among senior citizens. It could either involve partial or total loss of teeth. This condition causes the cheeks and lips to sag inwards, contributing to an aged and haggard appearance. Fortunately, thanks to innovations in the field of dentistry, tooth loss can easily be resolved with implants.

Tooth loss has physical and emotional/mental implications when left untreated. For one, edentulism can seriously affect biting patterns and proper pronunciation of words. The loss of teeth causes the upper and lower jaw to clamp down deeper than usual, contributing to the sunken appearance of the cheeks.

As for the emotional aspect, it is no surprise that some people experience loss of self-esteem due to their altered appearance. A lot of people handle the signs of aging quite well, but total or even partial tooth loss is another story. This is the reason dentists recommend that problems such as tooth loss are addressed as early as possible to avoid any further deterioration or complications, which are detailed below.

Difficulty in biting. Having a complete set of teeth allows people to chew their food at maximum efficiency. However, when tooth are lost due to physical trauma, dental disease or old age, people can find hard to chew and digest their food. Replacing lost teeth with dentures or dental implants can help restore mastication to normal levels, enabling people to eat more normally.

Difficulty with words. Teeth work in concert with the tongue and palate to enable us to enunciate and pronounce words audibly. Edentulism can affect normal the way we produce vowels and especially consonant sounds. By applying dental implants Chicago expert dentists provide, patients can eventually find it easier to speak and be understood.

Reduced self-esteem. People will agree that a smile with missing teeth is anything but lovely. People suffering from partial edentulism may feel too embarrassed to smile or even talk because of this condition. With dental implants Chicago dentists can install, compensating for you can go ahead and smile and talk to your hearts content.

Edentulism affects physical and emotional well-being. Nevertheless, the dental implants Chicago dentists install on a regular basis provide patients the opportunity to regain a complete set of teeth and go back to their normal life. Take note, though, that not all patients can qualify for dental implants. It is always best to consult with your dentist beforehand.