Cosmetic Dentistry in Scottsdale, AZ offered at My Scottsdale Dentist believes everyone deserves a healthy smile.

A study published in December 2014 challenged the conventional notion that individuals with any degree of tooth loss need treatment to replace the missing teeth. The study found that individuals with tooth loss did not experience a significant reduction in ability to chew until they had lost quite a few teeth. In order to chew, individuals only needed a few cutting teeth at the front and a few molars at the back of the mouth. The authors of the study concluded that rushing to immediately replace any missing teeth is a misguided approach. Alarmingly, they suggested cutting back on public funds intended to help the poor obtain dentures and other replacements for missing teeth.

What about bone loss?

The focus on maintaining a reasonable ability to chew in the face of tooth loss does seem to neglect many important factors. For example, tooth loss invariably leads to gradual loss of bone from the jaw. If the tooth loss is treated quickly, there is almost always sufficient bone left to perform a simple dental implantation procedure to support a prosthetic tooth. If, however, the tooth loss is not treated for a considerable period of time, replacement of teeth becomes a much more difficult and expensive proposition. Cosmetic Dentistry in Scottsdale, AZ can help prevent this issue.

What about self-esteem?

The new study’s focus on the ability to chew as being highly important for quality of life also seems to ignore the fact that the cosmetic appearance of the teeth is very important to most people. Stained, chipped and missing teeth can be devastating to a person’s self-esteem, which will substantially affect quality of life. Many people with missing teeth are reluctant to smile or eat in public and feel very self-conscious, to the point of isolating themselves. Cosmetic Dentistry in Scottsdale, AZ is a big confidence booster.

Depression

In fact, a study presented at the 43rd Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the American Association for Dental Research reported a strong association between tooth loss and depression. The study analyzed data collected from a survey of around half a million individuals. The study found that individuals affected by tooth loss (due to periodontal disease) were also very likely to be affected by depression. The design of the study was unable to determine causation, namely it is unclear if depression causes tooth loss in some as yet undetermined fashion, or, more likely, that tooth loss can contribute to depression.

Smile again!

My Scottsdale Dentist can help if you are depressed, upset or self-conscious about your teeth with Cosmetic Dentistry in Scottsdale, AZ. Whether the problem is one or more missing teeth, a chipped tooth, or badly stained teeth, we can help. We understand that the appearance of your teeth is vitally important, just as important as being able to chew properly. Dr. Poulos and Dr. Stevens can help you smile again.

If you have any concerns about the appearance or health of your teeth, contact us for an appointment at our Scottsdale, AZ location today.