Why It's Important to Replace Lost Teeth
When a front tooth is lost, most patients choose to replace it right away due to concerns about their appearance. For many, the decision about whether or not to replace a missing back tooth, however, is less straightforward because the gap usually isn’t visible.
There are, however, several reasons why you should replace missing teeth – regardless of whether they’re located at the front or back of your mouth.
Reasons to Replace a Missing Tooth
Chewing Difficulties
A missing tooth can make it difficult to chew food normally, and this might result in you needing to limit your food choices.
Accelerated Deterioration of Neighboring Teeth
When a tooth is lost, a person will naturally shift the work of chewing to other, nearby teeth. This increases the total workload that the neighboring teeth must bear, resulting in faster deterioration and the accelerated development of potential dental problems.
Bone Loss
When you chew or bite down on a tooth, the pressure on the tooth stimulates the jawbone where the tooth’s roots are attached. This stimulation triggers the production of additional bone material, keeping your jawbone strong.
When a tooth is lost, the pressure, stimulation, and bone production are eliminated. Eventually, the jawbone will begin to deteriorate where the tooth is missing. This can result in a changed physical appearance and also the loss of neighboring teeth.
Shifting Teeth
A missing tooth leaves behinds an open space in the mouth. Eventually, neighboring teeth will shift into the open space, leading to alignment problems, crooked teeth, and malocclusion (bite problems). These issues can be uncomfortable and also affect the appearance of your smile.
Tooth Replacement Options With Our Dentists in Orange, CA
Replacing missing teeth can help you avoid the problems associated with lost teeth, and there are a variety of options for replacing missing teeth, such as dental implants, bridges, and dentures.
While we strongly recommend dental implants since they are the most natural-looking, feeling, and functioning tooth replacement option, dental implants aren’t always the right choice for every patient.
We welcome you to schedule a smile restoration appointment with Dr. Christopher J. Fotinos or Dr. Randy A. Rosales. We will examine your teeth, gums, and jawbone, talk with you about your smile goals, and recommend a personalized treatment plan designed to restore the look, feel, and function of your smile while preventing future dental problems from developing.
To learn more, please contact our dental clinic in Orange, CA today.
