Total health is impacted by tooth loss
 In the past,
even in the Chicago area, the loss of teeth
(edentulism) was dismissed as a natural part of the aging process, and dentures were considered a normal sign of old age.
While such ignorance is rapidly becoming a thing of the past
in Chicago, there is still not a general awareness of the seriousness of edentulism.
Multiple tooth loss is most commonly caused by periodontal disease,
i.e. gum and bone disease. At University Associates in Dentistry we know that periodontal disease has a high statistical correlation with chronic debilitating diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and arthritis.
So it is not very surprising that studies now show a shortened life expectancy by as much as 10 years for persons who have lost their natural teeth, when compared to those who have kept their teeth.
In addition to longevity, quality-of-life differences are just as
significant. The functional efficiency of dentures has been
measured to be only 20% of that of natural teeth.
Dr. Delfs feels that nutritional deficiencies will be much more
prevalent in those without their natural teeth.
Loss of teeth often causes a feeling
of loss of wholeness and a sense of deterioration and aging. There are
better solutions available for those patients that have lost their teeth
with the advancements of dental implants.
To schedule a consultation to discuss your concerns of
lost teeth, please call (312)704-5511
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