Speech is an important aspect of dental care that you may not even think of unless you have missing teeth. When missing one or more permanent teeth, it can be difficult to form certain sounds, including “th,” “ch,” and “sh.” Replacing missing teeth with the right restoration can often help improve speech. Our office provides dental implants in Arlington Heights, IL, for patients missing one or more teeth. Implants can be the right restoration to make talking easier without worrying about slipping or mispronunciation.
Speaking with Missing Teeth
Even if you receive removable restorations like dentures, you may struggle to speak clearly. The gaps in your smile left by missing teeth may make certain words harder to pronounce. This is because you use your teeth to form many sounds used in speech. Your tongue can touch your teeth and lips when you speak, and the placement of your teeth and your bite can make speaking easier or harder.
Missing teeth impact your ability to speak clearly and pronounce certain words. The front upper and lower teeth are most likely to impact speech, while back teeth can impact your ability to bite and chew. Missing any of your teeth can negatively impact your dental health.
Replacing missing teeth can improve your speech and oral health. However, removable restorations, including dentures, may not fully restore your speech. These restorations may still make speech difficult. Dentures that use adhesive to stay in place can still slip; it’s best to use implants to secure dentures.
The Benefits of Dental Implants in Arlington Heights
Dental implants are small, titanium anchors that we insert in the bone beneath the gums. Implants act like new tooth roots and secure dental restorations in place.
There are many benefits to dental implants:
- Improved biting and chewing
- Stable restorations
- Bone and gum support
- Natural look
Implants can also improve the clarity of speech. This is partly because they fill in gaps left by missing teeth. However, implants also improve how you talk because they act like new tooth roots. Implant-secured restorations, including single crowns, dental bridges, and dentures, last longer and act more like natural teeth when compared to removable options.
Adjusting to Dental Implants
Even though dental implants will improve your speech, getting accustomed to your new smile will take time. Speech exercises are beneficial if you have received dental implants to help retrain yourself to pronounce certain sounds or words again. Continuing to practice words that you have trouble with can help you improve. Typically, getting accustomed to talking with dental implants can take three to four weeks.
If you have missing teeth and struggle to talk clearly, ask us about dental implants. Call our Arlington Heights, IL dental office for restorative care at (847) 230-9703. You may also schedule a dental consultation with us online.