You may think that there is no time limit on replacing a missing tooth. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The longer you wait to replace teeth, the harder and more costly it becomes to complete this task.
Though there are many reasons, read on to find out the top six reasons you should replace your teeth.
As a natural response, any surrounding teeth next to the missing tooth will start to move toward the space to fill that gap. These shifting teeth can cause a misaligned bite if the space is not quickly filled by a prosthetic tooth.
Tooth misalignment is not only a nuisance but it also causes immediate issues with the jaw hinge. Teeth that do not line up correctly cause strain on the jaw, as the joint tries to constantly adjust to fit the bite together. Painful, reduced movement in the jaw, a condition called TMJ (Temporomandibular joint dysfunction), can result from this misalignment as well.
A misaligned bite is one of the main reasons for teeth grinding, also known as bruxism. Teeth grinding and clenching will cause a whole other list of problems in itself, like erosion of the enamel and fractured teeth.
With each missing tooth, you lose a percentage of your chewing ability. Since your jaw is designed to function with all its teeth, even one missing tooth can cause a big disruption. Look at it this way — if you lose a tooth in your lower jaw, the opposing tooth in your upper jaw will eventually loosen since it is not being used.
Your smile is just not complete without all of your teeth, both functionally and aesthetically. Although missing front teeth are the most noticeable, even teeth in the back contribute to a healthy looking smile without your realizing it. The molars support the rest of your smile, and once they begin shifting your front teeth can become crooked.
The longer you wait to replace a tooth after it is lost, the more bone volume you lose in the jaw. When bones are not used, much like muscles, they begin to atrophy. Your jaw is stimulated when you chew and bite, and when a tooth is missing there is nothing to activate the bone underneath it. In time, the bone will start to deteriorate.
Less jaw density means a lowered success rate for an implant that needs to attach to healthy bone. Implants are by far the best permanent option for missing teeth, so you will want to keep this option around with healthy jaw density.
Bone volume density not only affects the functionality of your jaw. A loss in jawbone density can actually have a visually noticeable effect after a while. When one tooth is missing, it can make surrounding teeth more susceptible to damage and infection. Foregoing replacing one tooth can lead to the shifting and extraction of several teeth.
Still, when even one tooth is missing, the shape of your face can start to change. The lessened bone volume can lead to a face with a shortened appearance. A sunken jawbone can make you look much older than you are. To maintain a youthful appearance, replace missing teeth as soon as you can.
Over time as you begin to lose jawbone volume, it becomes more and more expensive to replace missing teeth. Oral health issues begin to arise due to the weakened state of your teeth and gums.
Thankfully, there are many options when it comes to replacing your missing teeth fast. Talk to your dentist about methods like dental implants, fixed bridges and dentures to find out which is right for your smile.
Request an appointment here: https://trophysmilestudio.com or call Trophy Smile Studio at (817) 210-4049 for an appointment in our Trophy Club office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Options For Replacing Missing Teeth.
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