Consequences of not replacing missing teethMissing teeth can have severe consequences on your dental health. They can affect the appearance of your smile and change the structure of your facial features. However, failure to replace a missing tooth can have more adverse effects beyond dental and facial aesthetics. At Advanced Center for Oral Surgery, Facial Surgery and Dental Implants, we believe good dental health is crucial to your overall well-being and quality of life. If you want to enhance your smile with a tooth replacement, our dental implant procedure can help. Jawbone LossThe jawbone plays a vital function in anchoring the roots of teeth. However, it needs stimulation from teeth to remain healthy and strong. When chewing, this stimulation occurs through the transfer of force from your teeth to your jaw. But, when you have a missing tooth, the part of your jawbone where the tooth used to be does not receive this stimulation. This can cause it to deteriorate and start to disappear in a process called resorption. Misalignment of Remaining TeethDue to their closeness, your teeth constantly apply pressure against each other. When a tooth is missing, the remaining ones can shift to compensate for the gap, leading to crooked teeth or larger spaces between them. Misaligned teeth can cause other dental problems like improper bite, more broken or chipped teeth, and an increased risk of tooth decay. If you are experiencing poor teeth alignment due to a missing tooth, our teeth realignment procedure can correct the issue. More Tooth LossA missing tooth increases your chances of losing more teeth. When you have a missing tooth, the remaining teeth begin shifting, which weakens their roots. This can cause them to become wobbly or fall out entirely. Increased Risk of Gum DiseaseWhen teeth are misaligned due to a gap in the mouth, they become more challenging to clean. Food particles can get stuck in hard-to-reach places between teeth, leading to bacteria buildup. The increased bacterial activity can cause plaque growth, leading to gingivitis. This is a form of gum disease that usually causes inflammation. If you do not treat it, it can develop into periodontal disease, a more severe dental condition. Speech ProblemsYour teeth play a crucial role in speech, aiding in articulating certain consonant and vowel sounds. Missing teeth can impede your speech in various ways. For instance, you may experience slurred speech or whistling sounds when pronouncing certain words. They can also make it difficult or impossible to pronounce certain words. Speech impediments caused by missing teeth can be detrimental to your confidence and self-esteem. Fortunately, these problems can be addressed with orthodontic treatments such as implants to replace missing teeth and braces to correct bite problems. Restore Your Dental Health and Confidence With Quality Dental ImplantsWhile missing teeth may seem like a minor problem, they can have adverse effects on your oral health. If you are experiencing any of the above issues, visit us at Advanced Center for Oral Surgery, Facial Surgery and Dental Implants for restorative treatment. You can also call us at (224) 341-5517 to schedule a dental implantation procedure with our resident dentists. |