Replacing Missing Teeth Critical for Daily Function

The muscles of the head and neck work together to determine how we eat, breathe, speak and how we look.  Chewing muscles are supported by the jaws and teeth, and are responsible for the stability of the head and neck.  For this reason, the replacement of missing teeth is important in maintaining our social and biological capability in many different areas:

• lower jaw position, in relation to the skull--allows neck muscles to hold the head in its proper posture--a loss of teeth can cause the head to drop, eyes to be downcast and breathing space of the throat to be decreased
• the height of the lower third of the face--upper and lower tooth contact maintains the length of chewing muscles, keeps the lips and cheeks supported, and contributes to facial attractiveness
• speaking--both the space in the mouth and the airflow through the mouth determined by the shape of the palate, tongue and position of the teeth creates proper speech sounds
• eating--mastication of the right kinds of foods to have a balanced and nutritious diet

Tooth replacement enhances quality of life.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309