Missing teeth can bring more issues than simply cosmetic ones. While they are easily spotted physically, the poor dental conditions they can cause — if not replaced quickly — are not.
These are some of the serious issues you may put yourself at risk for, if you choose not to replace a missing tooth:
This can include shifting and drifting of the remaining teeth, and jaw function can become unaligned. This can cause uneven wear on the teeth as well, which can lead to ongoing concerns. Changes in speech are also common.
Your smile is one of the first things people notice. Cosmetic concerns aside, the constant camouflaging and attempts to hide missing teeth have long term effects on physical and mental health. People often hide their mouths, smile less, and avoid social situations. These affects add to stress and have poor impacts on things like blood pressure, fat storage, and blood sugar levels.
When you lose a tooth, you lose bone. It can have serious issues and lead to further bone loss. Saving and maintaining the bone is key to allow options of replacing the teeth (like dental implants).
Unfortunately, there are countless causes for tooth loss, but these are the most common and how to prevent each of them from happening:
At South Shore Dental, we offer numerous options for your missing tooth (or teeth). Depending on the length of time a tooth has been missing, we may recommend implant-supported restorations if a tooth has been missing a long time, or a more traditional replacement option (like dental bridges, crowns, or dentures) if a tooth is replaced relatively soon after it is lost. That being said, implant-supported restorations are the best option for your overall oral health, so these are recommended no matter how long a tooth has been missing.
For an appointment or consultation, call (720) 361-2815 today!