
Supermodel Christie Brinkley has a one-in-a-million smile, but she is just one of millions who have benefited from today's preferred tooth-replacement technique: the dental implant. In a wide-ranging interview, Brinkley told Dear Doctor magazine about a helicopter accident she suffered while back-country skiing.
“I fractured two molars in the back of my mouth and I had to get two dental implants,” Brinkley told the magazine. “I am grateful for the dental implant technology that feels and looks so natural.”
You might think it serves little purpose to replace a missing back tooth that was barely visible in your smile to begin with — especially if you don't spend a lot of time posing for magazine covers. But this is actually not the case. Your molars are extremely important for chewing and even for maintaining a more youthful appearance.
Dentists generally agree that losing posterior (back) teeth can have many consequences for the remaining teeth and their surrounding structures, i.e., bone and gums. If back teeth are missing, the front teeth end up bearing more stress than they were built for. And there are certain things that happen when any tooth is lost, whether front or back, that can affect function and appearance.
For one thing, when a tooth is lost the adjacent teeth tend to drift into the empty space or tip towards it. This can adversely affect your bite. Too much shifting can render a tooth basically useless and also leave it more vulnerable to gum disease.
Another complication is the loss of tooth-supporting bone that inevitably occurs when teeth are lost. When a tooth comes out, the bone under it actually begins to melt away. Since back teeth support the vertical dimension of the face, their loss can cause what's known as “bite collapse” — a reduction in facial height that becomes increasingly noticeable over time and can make you look older.
A dental implant can prevent all of these things, while providing you with a replacement that looks and feels just like the tooth you lost.
If you are interested in learning more about implants, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. If you would like to read Dear Doctor's entire interview with Christie Brinkley, please see “The Secret Behind Christie Brinkley's Supermodel Smile.” Dear Doctor magazine also has more on “Replacing Back Teeth.”
Comments:
Our Office
Edward C. Joseph, D.D.S.
Burbank, CA 91505
Our Blog
Archive:
- 2019
- January (6)
- Take a Look into Your Future with a Trial Smile
- Porcelain Veneers Might not be the Best Option for Teenagers
- Orthodontics Could be in Your Smile Makeover Plan
- Topical Fluoride is a Safe Way to Protect Your Child's Teeth from Decay
- Want to Keep Enjoying Winter Sports? Wear a Mouthguard!
- Enhance Your Smile for that Special, Once-in-a-Lifetime Day
- 2018
- December (6)
- Stop Smoking to Reduce Your Risk of Gum Disease
- Conscious Sedation Eases Treatment Anxiety for Young Dental Patients
- 4 Reasons Why You May Need to See a Periodontist for Your Gum Disease
- New Year, New Smile
- Crown Lengthening Might be Necessary for Seniors with Tooth Decay
- Don't Let GERD Ruin Your Teeth's Health
- November (6)
- Moderate Your Child's Juice Drinking to Lower Tooth Decay Risk
- Avoid Bone Loss around Tooth Roots through Regular Dental Care
- 4 Things to Know About Diabetes and Gum Health
- Dentures are Still a Viable Choice for Tooth Replacement
- Cosmetic Gum Surgery Can Help Restore Lost Tissues Around Teeth
- Gum Surgery Can Improve Your Smile and Save Your Teeth
- October (6)
- Try the Conservative Path to Jaw Pain Relief First
- Encourage Your Child to Stop Thumb Sucking by Age 4
- Five Tips for Top-Notch Tooth Brushing
- Ease Your Child's Teething Discomfort with these Tips
- 3 Factors That Could Affect the Success of a Root Canal Treatment
- How to Help Your Kids Form Good Oral Hygiene Habits
- September (6)
- Keep on Course during the 3 Phases of a Smile Makeover
- New Saliva Test may Help Identify Oral Cancer Earlier
- Cosmetic Questions to Ask to Get You on the Right Path to a Better Smile
- FAQs for National Gum Care Month
- Have Your Child's Chronic Mouth Breathing Checked to Avoid Bite Problems
- Look After Your Teeth During Cancer Treatment to Avoid Dental Disease
- August (6)
- Recreational Marijuana Could Increase Your Risk of Gum Disease
- 3 Reasons You Should Consider Tooth Whitening
- What to do if Your Child has a Toothache
- World Cup Soccer Coach-Dentist Saves the Day!
- Can't Afford Dental Implants? Consider Partial Dentures
- Be on the Alert for Gum Disease While Wearing Braces
- July (7)
- The Right Treatment for Your Child's Injured Tooth Increases its Survival
- Encourage Your Child to Stop Thumb Sucking Around Age 3
- You May Need Surgery to Repair the Damage of Gum Recession
- What Happens in a Root Canal Treatment and How it Can Save Your Tooth
- Don't Take a Vacation From Oral Hygiene This Summer!
- We'll Help You Maintain Your Oral Health After Gum Disease
- Tips to Brighten Your Summer Smile
- June (6)
- Good Reasons for Choosing Clear Aligners for Orthodontic Treatment
- What You Can Do to Support Your Child's Dental Development
- June Is National Safety Month: Be Prepared for Dental Emergencies
- Seek Immediate Treatment for this Advanced Form of Gingivitis
- Keep Alert for this Extreme Form of Gingivitis
- Gum Infection Around Tooth Roots Calls for Immediate Action
- 2017
- December (5)
- Extracting Certain Teeth can Boost Orthodontic Effectiveness
- Living with HIV includes Keeping a Close Watch on Your Oral Health
- 3 Ways You Can Help Your Child Feel at Home at the Dentist
- Your Age Won't Necessarily Decide Against Straightening Your Smile
- Air Abrasion Could be a More Pleasant Alternative to the Dental Drill
- May (5)
- Complications from Missing Teeth Could Limit Your Replacement Options
- Look at Your Options for Saving a Tooth First Before Replacing it
- Techniques for Keeping Impacted Canine Teeth from Spoiling Your Smile
- We can Fix a Smile Marred by Absent Front Teeth
- Lasers Could One Day be Commonplace for Treating Gum Disease
- April (5)
- An Affordable RPD Could be the Answer to Your Missing Teeth Problems
- Pediatric Dentists Specialize in Dental Care for Children and Teens
- Plan Ahead to Make Your Smile the Best it can be for Your Big Day!
- Practice Proactive Prevention to Enhance Your Child's Dental Development
- You may need a Periodontist to Fully Treat Your Gum Disease
- January (5)
- Simplify Your Toothpaste Purchase by Looking for These Ingredients
- Get Control of Dry Mouth to Protect Your Dental Health
- Restore a Flawed Tooth in as Little as One Visit with Composite Resin
- You Should Brush and Floss Around Your Implant to Ensure its Longevity
- Keep a Lookout for These Soft Tissue Conditions in the Mouth
- 2016
- November (5)
- 4 Reasons you may want Your Dentist to Whiten Your Teeth
- Clear Aligners Make it Easier for Teenagers to have Their Teeth Straightened
- Follow These Common Sense Steps When Your Child has a Toothache
- Don't Let the Acid in Sports and Energy Drinks Ruin Your Tooth Enamel
- Dental Implants can Replace Your Whole Tooth, Not Just What You See
- September (5)
- Make Efforts to Protect Your Teeth from Disease While Wearing Braces
- What to Expect Before, During and After Implant Surgery
- Lasers Adding New Precision and Efficiency to Root Canal Treatments
- Treating "Burning Mouth" Depends on What's Triggering it
- Take These Measures to Lower Your Child's Tooth Decay Risk
- June (5)
- Crown Lengthening Opens up New Teeth Restoration Possibilities
- Root Canal Treatment Alleviates Pain and Saves Your Tooth
- 4 Reasons Saving Your Child's Decayed Baby Tooth is a Good Idea
- Teens Benefit Most from A Temporary Solution to Missing Teeth
- The Risk for Gum Disease Increases While Wearing Braces
- May (5)
- Mild Pain Relievers may be all you need for Discomfort after Dental Work
- Here's What to Do if Your Child has a Toothache
- Your Case of Gingivitis Could Develop into Something More Harmful
- Sedation Therapy can reduce Anxiety in Children during Dental Visits
- Weigh a Poor Smile's Emotional and Social Cost when Considering Restorations
- March (5)
- Removable Dentures Remain a Viable Option for People with Total Tooth Loss
- Erosion and Other Problems may be Signs of Bulimia
- Is There a Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Health?
- Surgically Accessing Sinuses can Help Grow New Bone for Implants
- Test Out Your Future Look With a 'Trial Smile'
- 2015
- December (5)
- Dental Amalgam Continues to be a Durable and Safe Tooth Filling
- Sealants Provide a Little Extra Protection for Children at High Risk for Decay
- Saliva Performs Many Functions for Both Oral and General Health
- Three Considerations for Working with Your Dentist on Your Smile Makeover
- Simple or Surgical? Choosing the Right Kind of Tooth Extraction
- 2014
- August (5)
- Dental Hygienist - Your Partner in Preventing Disease and Maintaining Oral Health
- Major Benefits for Tooth Replacement With Dental Implants
- Replace Missing Teeth to Prevent Other Teeth From Moving Out of Place
- Taking Precautions Before, During and After Implants Will Help Ensure Success
- Conscious Sedation can Make Your Child's Dental Visit More Pleasant
- 2013
- December (5)
- Do Clear Orthodontic Aligners Really Work?
- Dental Amalgam Fillings Remain a Safe and Reliable Tooth Restoration Option
- Monitoring Blood Pressure is Important for Both Your General and Oral Health
- Consider all the Cost Factors When Deciding on a Crown Restoration
- New Permanent Teeth - Faster Than Ever!
- October (5)
- Are You an Athlete? Here Are Five Reasons You Should Wear a Mouthguard
- Dental Implant Maintenance: 5 Facts You Should Know
- Advances in Clear Aligners Make Them a Viable Choice for More Teens
- Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canals
- Implant Overdentures: a Marriage of Options for Lower Jaw Tooth Replacement
- 2012
- August (7)
- Tooth Brushing: Don't Overdo It!
- American's Obsession With Bad Breath
- Top 5 Advantages of Dental Implants
- Factors that Can Influence a Dental Implant
- Early Orthodontic Care Helped Child Star Nolan Gould Get Ready for Prime Time
- Child Star Nolan Gould Talks About Tooth Extractions, Orthodontic Treatment
- How Does Tooth Bleaching Work?
- 2011
Tags
- cosmetic dentistry (50)
- smile makeover (30)
- periodontal (gum) disease (6)
- common symptoms (9)
- oral hygiene (36)
- oral health (88)
- diabetes (4)
- laser dentistry (4)
- crowns (5)
- dental health tips (2)
- dental implants (34)
- pediatric dentistry (36)
- age one dental visit (1)
- first dental appointment (1)
- tooth decay (15)
- x-rays (4)
- wedding day smiles (2)
- wisdom teeth (4)
- loose dentures (3)
- dentures (7)
- overdenture (2)
- tmd (4)
- tmj (4)
- sleep apnea (2)
- snoring (2)
- sleep (1)
- fillings (8)
- cambra (1)
- dental hygiene (2)
- thumb sucking (5)
- clear orthodontic aligners (4)
- orthodontics (10)
- invisalign (3)
- root canal (11)
- braces (7)
- root planing (2)
- celebrity smiles (4)
- dental implant (2)
- dental injuries (9)
- chipped tooth (4)
- bonding (5)
- veneers (5)
- sealants (2)
- snoring and sleep apnea (3)
- teeth whitening (14)
- bone grafting (2)
- missing teeth (3)
- chewing gum (1)
- xylitol (1)
- bad breath (6)
- dental injury (6)
- dental emergency (3)
- medication (3)
- aspirin (2)
- tooth wear (2)
- sedation dentistry (7)
- oral sedation (3)
- dental anxiety (2)
- bleeding gums (3)
- periodontal disease (15)
- gum disease (38)
- sinus pain (1)
- smile (1)
- heart disease (1)
- gingivitis (1)
- inflammation (1)
- pediatric care (1)
- pregnancy (2)
- brushing (1)
- fluoride (2)
- tooth decay quiz (1)
- dental hygienist (2)
- baby teeth (2)
- mouthguards (5)
- sports dentistry (4)
- tooth colored fillings (4)
- oral cancer (10)
- dental emergencies (3)
- missing tooth (2)
- replacing teeth (1)
- bleaching (1)
- discolored teeth (1)
- stained teeth (1)
- dry mouth (5)
- chipped teeth (2)
- mouthguard (2)
- genetics (1)
- clear aligners (3)
- dental fillings (1)
- mouth rinse (1)
- teething (6)
- porcelain veneers (3)
- toothache (5)
- overdentures (1)
- endodontics (1)
- cleaning (1)
- gluten (1)
- periodontal surgery (1)
- crown (2)
- blood pressure (1)
- wedding day smile (2)
- loose teeth (1)
- whitening (1)
- floss (1)
- tooth loss (1)
- dental appliance (1)
- dental cleanings (1)
- nutrition (9)
- smoking (5)
- partial denture (4)
- tooth bleaching (1)
- cold sore (1)
- sugar (1)
- sinus surgery (2)
- orthodontic treatment (6)
- space maintainer (1)
- gummy smile (2)
- topical fluoride (2)
- dental care (1)
- jaw pain (3)
- tooth extraction (2)
- saliva (1)
- dental sealants (1)
- smile design (2)
- bulimia (1)
- removable dentures (1)
- tooth replacement (1)
- root canal treatment (8)
- crown lengthening (2)
- seniors (1)
- gummy smiles (1)
- artificial sweeteners (1)
- burning mouth syndrome (1)
- tooth erosion (1)
- geographic tongue (1)
- toothpaste (1)
- air abrasion (2)
- extractions (1)
- eating disorders (1)
- shingles (1)
- plaque (1)
- adult braces (1)
- hiv (1)
- oral heath (1)
- bone loss (1)
- bruxism (1)
- night guard (1)
- periodontist (1)
- gum recession (3)
- teeth grinding (1)
- tooth pain (1)
- cancer (1)
- tmj disorders (1)
- gum surgery (1)
- cosmetic gum surgery (1)
- GERD (1)