The process of eating and digestion begins with the teeth. With a missing tooth, a number of things happen. Typically biting efficiency is reduced and there is now space for adjacent teeth to move in and eventually change the way you bite. There are many options for a replacement tooth other than a dental implant.
This includes leaving the extracted tooth site alone, a denture or a dental bridge. Depending on the health and existing oral condition of the patient, your dentist will advise the best replacement method. Some patients also cannot tolerate dentures due to a sensitive gag reflex or they find it troublesome, inconvenient or embarassing whilst talking.
A dental implant is the best known permanent alternative to a missing tooth - where feasbile and as advised by your dentist. However it will never TRULY replace a real tooth so you should try and keep your tooth as far as possible.
However if a tooth is very rotten (decayed) or shaky (gum disease) then the dentist might advise a course of management which might advise dental implant treatment once the mouth condition is healthy and disease free. If I was above 70 and if I needed an extraction I would definitely like a replacement and yes I would much prefer to have a dental implant if finances were in place and there were no medical contraindications.
Hope that helps,
Dr Samintharaj Kumar
