If you have a missing tooth, especially in a place where no one can really see it, you might think that you can get away with not having that tooth there. But, did you know that there are some serious consequences to not replace the missing tooth? For example, having a missing tooth can lead to some serious dental problems that could run your bill way past the cost of replacing a missing tooth. You would have to undergo procedures to fix any issues that were caused by not replacing the missing tooth. Here are some of the reasons why you should replace a missing tooth.
One of the major issues that are caused by a missing tooth is called malocclusion. When there is a missing tooth, your other teeth will start to grow closer together in order to compensate for that missing tooth. In the future, this can lead to an overbite or to a crossbite which can be painful or difficult to adjust. This is a condition where your teeth are not aligned in a healthy way.
While this may not sound like something that would be a major problem, it can lead to tooth decay, needing braces, or oral surgery. These things would run a higher cost than a single tooth replacement.
Along with malocclusion, you can suffer from tooth decay, which will affect your whole mouth. This can lead to other oral conditions which would require you to see a dentist for a more in-depth care.
With a missing tooth, you will also have difficulty chewing. This will lead to you chewing in a strange way that would cause strain to your mouth and your jaw. Your gum line will also slowly be worn away which would give the appearance of your face sagging.
These are also some other issues that are caused by missing a tooth.
To prevent these things from happening, it is highly recommended that you seek a replacement for the tooth that is missing, immediately.
Now that you know that you must replace a missing tooth, what does the process look like?
The most common way to replace a missing tooth is through a dental implant. This is usually a titanium implant that is fitted with a crown. This procedure normally takes about three months to complete because your mouth and gums need time to adjust to the new tooth. In the end, you will have a replacement that feels just like the tooth you lost and you don’t have to worry about the issues that we talked about above.
If you are concerned about your missing tooth, come give our office a call. We are here to answer any questions that you may have about dental implants or how you can best go about replacing a missing tooth. We want to make the process as comfortable for you as we can.