Missing teeth can cause embarrassment and inconvenience. Do you find sharing meals with others less enjoyable, because you dread being unable to properly chew food? Has 
self-consciousness affected your inclination to smile widely or pose for pictures, because you don’t want to show the gaps in your mouth?
You feel the inconvenience and social impact acutely, but they are not the only negative effects of missing teeth. Your oral health is also compromised. The jawbone relies on natural teeth for stimulation, and without it the bone can atrophy and shrink. This alters the jaw’s structure and your appearance. Traditional tooth replacement methods like dentures and bridges don’t solve this problem, lacking a root-and-crown structure. But dental implants, which mimic natural teeth, keep the jawbone whole and healthy.
If you’re looking for a long-lasting, natural-looking tooth replacement solution that addresses your mouth’s natural function and esthetics, consider dental implants from Dr. Gatewood and Dr. Stephens. (more…)