{"id":82,"date":"2020-01-15T20:38:18","date_gmt":"2020-01-15T20:38:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gannettdrivedental.com\/blog\/?p=82"},"modified":"2025-11-11T23:01:18","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T23:01:18","slug":"why-always-replace-missing-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gannettdrivedental.com\/blog\/why-always-replace-missing-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"Why You Should Always Replace Your Missing Teeth"},"content":{"rendered":"
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You\u2019ve been missing teeth in the back of your mouth for a\nwhile now. People have been advising you to get them replaced, but do you really\nneed to? After all, since no one really sees where you once had teeth, it seems\nlike a waste of money. But the truth is, you definitely should replace any and\nall missing teeth as soon as you can. Let\u2019s discuss four reasons why, and what\noptions you have for tooth\nreplacement.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why You Should Replace Your Missing Teeth <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few reasons why you should replace any kind of\nmissing tooth, even a molar: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remaining Teeth May Shift and Loosen <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Teeth naturally push against each other to keep them all\naligned. When one of them is missing, it throws off the balance. Your other\nteeth will try to fill in the space created by the missing one, leading to an\nincreased risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and bite problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Face Could Change <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even the loss of a back tooth can make your jawbone\ndeteriorate and your facial muscles sink over time, since your face no longer receives\nstimulation from the root of your lost tooth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It Might Affect Your Mental Health <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Having a gap in your mouth can result in speech impediments,\nwhich can contribute to low self-confidence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You May Develop TMJ Disorder <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The muscles just under and in front of your ears are your\ntemporomandibular joints, or TMJ. Changing these muscles by missing a tooth can\nlead to problems with the way that joint functions, resulting in extreme pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Options to Replace Your Missing Teeth <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Luckily, you have multiple choices to replace your missing\nteeth, including: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dental Bridge <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A bridge is a string of dental crowns bonded together. Two crowns\nare placed on the tooth on either side of the gap in your mouth, with\nartificial teeth in between to fill the space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Denture <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re missing all of your teeth, your dentist may\nrecommend a denture, which is a set of false teeth attached to a gum-colored\nacrylic base. For only a few missing teeth, you might receive a partial\ndenture, which consists of a metal framework with as many artificial teeth as\nyou need to complete your smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dental Implants <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dental implants are by far the best option to replace\nmissing teeth. They replicate the entire structure of the tooth, not just the\nvisible crown. Implants also prevent jawbone deterioration and facial sagging\nby directly stimulating the bone in the same way as your natural teeth did. Not\nonly that, but they feel and look like a completely natural part of your smile.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dental technology has come a long way in recent years, so\nyou have plenty of options to deal with your missing teeth. The important thing\nis to act quickly. The sooner you get your missing teeth replaced, the sooner\nyou can smile with confidence again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At Gannett Drive Dental, patients can achieve straighter smiles with Invisalign clear aligners. Dr. Gagnon and our skilled team provide customized orthodontic plans designed to deliver lasting results. With personalized care and advanced technology, our practice helps patients transform their smiles comfortably and effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Call us at (207) 253-5600 or request an appointment online<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You\u2019ve 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-82","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nMissing Teeth | Should I Replace My Missing Teeth | Dr. Jennifer Gagnon<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Should you bother replacing your missing teeth, especially in the back of your mouth? 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