What Happens If You Don’t Replace Missing Teeth?

What Happens If You Don’t Replace Missing Teeth?

It is not uncommon for adult patients to have missing teeth. Any number of things can cause teeth to fall out but the most common cause is tooth decay. Oral health is directly related to overall health so even if you have a tooth that is missing in the back of your mouth and you feel that it is not important to replace it, it actually is! One missing tooth can quickly lead to a number of missing teeth because the space left behind by one tooth falling out can cause other teeth to shift in an effort to close the space. This shifting leads to bone loss and further tooth loss.

What happens if you do not replace missing teeth?
Not replacing a missing tooth can lead to a host of other issues. As your teeth shift to fill the space, your teeth will become misaligned and cause you to have malocclusion which can pose difficulties with eating and even speaking. There is also a risk of damaging healthy remaining teeth. When your teeth shift, the roots of those healthy teeth can become weekend which can affect the health and integrity of surrounding teeth and lead to further tooth loss.

It is also significantly more difficult to properly clean teeth that are crowded as opposed to those that are properly aligned. When the teeth are not well cared for, the patient runs a risk of developing a periodontal disease which can also lead to further tooth loss. Periodontal disease is an advanced form of gum disease which results from an accumulation of tartar buildup in the gum pockets. When the plaque around the gum line is not removed regularly, it hardens into tartar which can invade the gum pockets and cause the gum tissue to recede from the tooth structure, exposing the root surface and making the teeth very sensitive and uncomfortable.

Untreated periodontal disease can eventually lead to bone loss. When the jawbone begins to deteriorate, it is no longer able to support the teeth and can lead to further tooth loss and changes in the facial structure.

When missing or broken teeth are left untreated, patients may find it difficult to eat certain foods. Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet of fresh fruits and vegetables can become difficult and lead to more serious medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. The correlation between periodontal disease and heart disease is well documented so caring for your teeth is incredibly important.

How can missing teeth be replaced?
Fortunately, there are a number of ways to replace missing teeth! Most people think that if they are missing teeth that they will have to have a traditional denture but that is not the case. A dental bridge is a permanent dental restoration that you replace a few teeth in one area of the mouth. Is it cemented in place using neighboring teeth as anchors and can last for years. A partial denture is essentially a bridge that can be removed and of course a full denture is used to replace an entire arch of teeth.

Another option that you might consider replacing one or more missing teeth is dental implants. Implants have the ability to replace one tooth with an implant crown or even a full arch of teeth with an implant-supported denture. Implant prostheses are incredibly natural-looking and are much more comfortable than other traditional replacement options.

If you are missing teeth, speak with your Dentist to understand what treatment options are available to you and how not replacing your teeth could be detrimental to your health.