You’ve been missing teeth in the back of your mouth for a while now. People have been advising you to get them replaced, but do you really need to? After all, since no one really sees where you once had teeth, it seems like a waste of money. But the truth is, you definitely should replace any and all missing teeth as soon as you can. Let’s discuss four reasons why, and what options you have for tooth replacement.
Why You Should Replace Your Missing Teeth
Here are a few reasons why you should replace any kind of missing tooth, even a molar:
Remaining Teeth May Shift and Loosen
Teeth naturally push against each other to keep them all aligned. When one of them is missing, it throws off the balance. Your other teeth will try to fill in the space created by the missing one, leading to an increased risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and bite problems.
Your Face Could Change
Even the loss of a back tooth can make your jawbone deteriorate and your facial muscles sink over time, since your face no longer receives stimulation from the root of your lost tooth.
It Might Affect Your Mental Health
Having a gap in your mouth can result in speech impediments, which can contribute to low self-confidence.
You May Develop TMJ Disorder
The muscles just under and in front of your ears are your temporomandibular joints, or TMJ. Changing these muscles by missing a tooth can lead to problems with the way that joint functions, resulting in extreme pain.
Options to Replace Your Missing Teeth
Luckily, you have multiple choices to replace your missing teeth, including:
Dental Bridge
A bridge is a string of dental crowns bonded together. Two crowns are placed on the tooth on either side of the gap in your mouth, with artificial teeth in between to fill the space.
Denture
If you’re missing all of your teeth, your dentist may recommend a denture, which is a set of false teeth attached to a gum-colored acrylic base. For only a few missing teeth, you might receive a partial denture, which consists of a metal framework with as many artificial teeth as you need to complete your smile.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are by far the best option to replace missing teeth. They replicate the entire structure of the tooth, not just the visible crown. Implants also prevent jawbone deterioration and facial sagging by directly stimulating the bone in the same way as your natural teeth did. Not only that, but they feel and look like a completely natural part of your smile.
Dental technology has come a long way in recent years, so you have plenty of options to deal with your missing teeth. The important thing is to act quickly. The sooner you get your missing teeth replaced, the sooner you can smile with confidence again.
About the Author
Dr. John Kivus is a 1979 graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. His professional memberships include the American Dental Association, the Maine Dental Association, and the Greater Portland Dental Society. His Portland, ME practice offers all the options listed above to replace your missing teeth and bring back your smile’s full potential. To learn more, visit Dr. Kivus’ website.