I am constantly amazed that most dentists (apparently) do not tell their patients what can and will happen when they lose teeth.  I was asked to produce a educational series on dental implants, and felt compelled to start with a section of the problems that patients are not aware of—and probably were not informed about.  Personally, I think that all dentists have the LEGAL and MORAL obligation to tell people about these problems!

Issues such as
1)     The vast amount of bone loss that follows tooth loss and progresses over time
2)    Facial wrinkles resulting from the atrophy of the facial muscles
3)    Social embarrassment and fear of social situations
4)    Inability to chew food properly contributing to nutritional problems, obesity, and diabetes
5)    Perpetual and progressive inability to use full and partial dentures (also pain!)
6)    Bone loss beneath convention bridges resulting in food impaction and increases gum disease on additional tooth loss
7)    Decrease mobility
8)    Increased incidence of neurological disorders from denture adhesives
9)    Increased incidence of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.  Even pancreatic cancer!
10) Bite collapse of the back teeth resulting in more tooth loss, inability to chew food, and a “flaring out” or loss of the front teeth!

And the list goes on-and on with more problems being discovered almost every day.  Watch this enlightening video!

• Dentures and Your Health—Dementia & Heart Disease –Notes Wheaton Implant Dentist
• Tooth Loss, Dental Implants & Dental Health–Whoopi Goldberg Relates her Experiences
• Psychological Challenges and Social Concerns of Tooth Loss-Dental Implants & Tooth Loss
• Missing Missing Tooth Danger–Tooth Loss Due to Shifting Teeth
• Nutrition Problems & Associated Medical Concerns–Dentures, Partial Dentures, Dental Implants