A missing tooth can have a significant impact on a person’s life, affecting much more than their smile. It can cause you to lose confidence, change the way you eat, and even lead to further issues with your oral health, particularly if you don’t search for a “dental restoration near me” right away. 

It can be easy to feel tempted by the idea of putting off getting dental restorations. However, dentists recommend replacing a missing tooth immediately after loss to prevent further damage and preserve your oral and overall well-being.

The Consequences of Missing Teeth

There are several consequences of missing teeth that extend far beyond appearance. Over time, these consequences may also have detrimental effects on one’s health. 

Teeth work together as a cohesive unit, supporting one another. This support is lost when one or more teeth fall out, allowing the surrounding teeth to tilt or drift into space. This phenomenon, also referred to as tooth migration or drifting, can result in malocclusion, or bite misalignment. 

As teeth shift into the vacant space, the alignment of the entire dental arch may be thrown off, resulting in a number of issues such as pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), too. Since the position of the teeth is essential for the correct articulation of sounds, misalignment can also result in speech difficulties.  

Moreover, beyond just causing problems with functionality, misaligned teeth can also cause aesthetic problems by altering the smile’s symmetry and appearance. 

The Biggest Consequence of Tooth Loss: Bone Resorption 

When a tooth is lost, most of the impact is invisible to the naked eye. Loss of teeth promotes bone resorption, a process that weakens the jawbone, because your tooth’s root is no longer stimulating the jawbone.  

Teeth play a crucial role in jawbone health. When chewing, the teeth stimulate the bone, causing it to continue supplying nutrients to the jawbone and other supporting structures. Without this stimulation, the bone tissue gradually weakens and shrinks.  

About 50% of the bone may be lost after the first year, after which the resorption process proceeds more slowly, at a rate of about 1% annually. 

This may cause the face to appear sunken or collapsed, particularly around the mouth and cheeks. When bone loss occurs, it may also be more challenging to wear dentures or get dental implants or other tooth replacements. Over time, it may result in more tooth loss because the deteriorating bone may make nearby teeth less stable.

Look for a Dental Restoration Near You and Protect Your Smile 

Missing teeth affect more than just your smile. Although tooth loss is a single issue, it can lead to a cascade of oral health problems and harm general well-being. Understanding the importance of restorations is the first step to preventing them and maintaining your oral function.  

Start exploring available options alongside Triangle Restoration Dentistry to protect the health of your smile. If you’d like to learn about them, reach out and schedule a personalized consultation!