If you had a missing tooth toward the front of your mouth, you might be eager to replace it. After all, your smile’s beauty would be at stake! But what if the missing tooth is one of your molars or premolars? Onlookers might not even notice the empty space, so you might be tempted not to pursue tooth replacement. However, that is not a wise idea. Even if no one can see your missing tooth, replacing it can be vital for your long-term oral health! This blog post explains why that is the case.
Prevent Dental Drift
When you lose a tooth, the neighboring teeth may start to move into the empty space. This process, known as dental drift, can affect the alignment of your entire smile. The result may be crooked teeth, gaps, or bite problems that complicate oral hygiene. You could even end up needing orthodontic treatment to realign your bite. Prosthetic teeth can serve as placeholders that keep your natural dentition where it belongs, which can support your oral health and help you save money in the long run.
Maintain a Healthy Bite
Your teeth work together to help you chew, speak, and smile comfortably. A missing tooth disturbs the balance of your bite, causing your remaining teeth to take on more force than intended. Over time, your bite may become uneven, making it difficult to chew certain foods. This issue can also lead to discomfort, jaw pain, headaches, and TMJ disorder.
Reduce the Risk of Additional Tooth Loss
Did you know that tooth loss often leads to more tooth loss? This can occur due to issues like dental drift, uneven wear and tear, a bad bite, and other issues. By replacing a lost tooth, even one that others cannot see, you can stabilize your remaining teeth and reduce the risk of additional gaps in your smile.
Reduce Wear and Tear on Your Remaining Teeth
When you have a gap in your mouth, your remaining teeth must compensate for the missing tooth. They may experience increased pressure and wear, especially when you eat hard or chewy foods. This extra strain can cause them to chip, crack, or wear down more quickly than usual, which eventually affects both their function and appearance. Modern dental prosthetics are very durable and can handle quite a bit of chewing force.
Preserve Your Jawbone
Your jawbone needs stimulation from tooth roots to remain strong and healthy. If a tooth is missing, the bone under that site begins to shrink and weaken. This process, called bone resorption, can alter the shape of your face and compromise future restoration options. By choosing to replace a missing tooth with a dental implant, you help maintain the integrity of your jaw and support your facial structure.
A missing tooth should be replaced, even if it is not currently affecting your appearance! Talk to your dentist about how you can regain a complete and healthy smile.
Meet the Practice
Drs. Benjamin Hornstein and Shawn Schlessel are proud to work together to provide top-quality oral healthcare for the Beachwood community. Under their leadership, our team offers multiple tooth replacement options, including dentures, bridges, and dental implants. To learn more about us and how we may be able to serve you, contact The Center for Advanced Dentistry at 216-595-1710.