What Happens If You Don’t Replace Missing Teeth?
The number one cause of tooth loss in adult patients is untreated tooth decay. When decay is allowed to grow, it eats away at tooth structure, eventually making the tooth hopeless and the only treatment option is extraction. It is proven that oral health is directly related to overall health so it is important to restore missing teeth, even if it is in the back of your mouth and is not noticeable when you smile.
Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet of fresh fruits and vegetables can become difficult with missing teeth which can lead to more serious medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. The existing correlation between gum health and heart disease is well documented so caring for your teeth, even missing ones, is incredibly important.
Should I replace a missing tooth?
When one missing tooth is not replaced, the jawbone begins to deteriorate in the area and can lead to a domino effect of additional missing teeth. Healthy teeth tend to shift in an effort to fill the empty space left behind by a missing tooth and when they do so, they become misaligned and can cause malocclusion which can pose discomfort and difficulties with eating and speaking. When teeth shift, they can become crowded and misaligned posing a significant challenge for proper oral hygiene. Straight teeth are significantly easier to clean and when teeth are not well cared for, the patient risks developing periodontal disease. Untreated periodontal disease can eventually lead to bone loss and further tooth loss.
There is also a risk of damaging healthy remaining teeth or developing jaw disorders such as TMJ. When your teeth shift, the roots of those healthy teeth can become weak, which can affect the health and integrity of surrounding teeth and lead to further tooth loss.
Treating Options To Replace Missing Teeth
There are a number of ways to replace missing teeth including a dental bridge, dental implants, and dentures all of which are comfortable and natural looking, thanks to advances in dental prosthetics.
A dental bridge is a permanent restoration that can be used to replace a single tooth or a few teeth in one area of the mouth. Two crowns are joined by a fake tooth, or pontic, and is cemented in place using neighboring teeth as anchors. The number of teeth that need to be replaced will determine how many pontics are included in your final bridge.
A denture can be used either for one area of the mouth or for a full arch, even both arches. Dentures are removable for easy care and maintenance!
Dental implants can be used to replace one tooth with an individual implant crown or even a full arch of teeth on one or both arches with an implant-supported denture. Implant prostheses are incredibly natural-looking and are much more comfortable than traditional replacement options.
If you have missing teeth or anticipate needing teeth extracted, speak with your dentist to understand your options and which will work best for you and your individual lifestyle.