What Happens When You Wait Too Long to Replace a Missing Tooth?
When you lose a tooth, whether due to decay or trauma, you may (understandably) worry about how it will affect your appearance. It’s a valid concern that can impact your confidence, but there are other potential consequences of having a missing tooth. That is why it is so important to seek dental care promptly.
Delaying treatment of a missing tooth can put other dental structures at risk, including your jawbone, gums, and nearby teeth. Here’s what you need to know about the consequences of delaying tooth repairs.
How Missing Teeth Affect Nearby Teeth
A missing tooth can have a serious impact on nearby teeth. As soon as a gap opens, other teeth can start shifting toward those empty spaces. They can tilt or slowly move, impacting your bite alignment and potentially changing your facial structure.
Missing teeth can also cause uneven chewing. You may find that some of your teeth become more worn than others. That’s because the structures around the gap have to work harder than normal to chew food.
If you have a gap because of a missing tooth, it can be harder to brush and floss, too. Food particles easily get stuck between teeth that have begun tilting toward the missing tooth, leading to decay.
Additionally, you could struggle with over-eruption. Teeth depend on opposing structures to bite against while chewing. A gap can cause the tooth to slowly drift out of its socket, potentially exposing the root.
Bone Loss After Tooth Loss
One significant reason why you need restorative dentistry services promptly after losing a tooth is that your jawbone could be affected. To keep forming bone cells, your jawbone depends on the stimulation that your teeth’s roots provide when you chew.
If you have a missing tooth, that stimulation is no longer available in that part of the jaw. Over time, this can result in bone density loss. If it’s not addressed, it can progress enough to affect nearby teeth. They can become loose and even fall out, resulting in further bone loss.
Not only does jawbone loss make a difference in how your face looks, but it can also limit the tooth replacement options you have. If you don’t have enough jawbone density, placing dental implants may not be possible without extensive bone grafts.
Everyday Problems That Can Develop
If you have missing teeth, you can struggle with a number of everyday tasks. It can be much more difficult to chew, for example. You may feel discomfort or even pain when eating tougher foods, so you may avoid them. This can limit the nutrition you get, which could affect your overall health levels.
It’s possible to experience speech problems, too. Gaps allow air to escape, potentially leading to a lisp or whistling sound when you speak certain consonants. Teeth act like a wall for your tongue and lips. You may find it difficult to make certain sounds if you have gaps.
Often, people feel embarrassed about missing teeth. A common response is to speak less or to mumble. Some may cover their mouths with their hands when they talk, and you may be hesitant to join in social activities as a result.
Finally, missing teeth could cause discomfort because of jaw misalignment issues. It can be severe enough to affect you throughout the day.
Why Early Replacement Matters
Addressing a missing tooth as quickly as you can will give you access to as many treatment options as possible. The longer you wait, the more restricted your choices will be.
Dental implants, for example, may not be an option if you have significant bone loss. Tooth alignment issues also take time to address and can be very costly. Replacing missing teeth quickly helps to prevent these issues.
Common Tooth Replacement Options
One of the most common tooth replacement options is a dental implant. A titanium post is implanted directly into your jawbone to replace your tooth’s root. After a period of healing, a dental crown that mimics a real tooth will sit on top of the implant, allowing you to eat and speak normally.
Bridges are another option. These are custom-made replacement teeth that help to fill the gap a missing tooth leaves behind. They are made up of a replacement tooth (pontic), which is secured to adjacent teeth, holding your new tooth (or teeth) in place.
Partial dentures can also be a great option. These are removable dental appliances that replace one or more teeth. They fill gaps if you still have healthy teeth, giving you a natural look.
Getting Dental Implants in Mystic, CT
Replacing a missing tooth as soon as possible helps prevent serious consequences, from jawbone loss to misalignment. At Flanagan Dental, our implant dentist can help you decide whether repair or restoration is the better choice. You don’t need a referral to schedule a visit with us. Contact our team today to discover what we can do for your smile.
