It may so happen that you may lose a tooth due to a nasty cavity, or perhaps by accident. To replace that missing tooth is often something you’d have to consider in such a situation. Smilekraft Dentistry’s Dr. Priyank explains the consequences of not replacing your missing or extracted tooth.
Firstly, depending upon the position of the lost tooth, aesthetics and psychological factors such as confidence can be affected. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg. In a lot of cases, not replacing teeth can cause a number of deep seated problems.
For instance, if you leave your right side with out upper teeth, you will be force to chew on the left side. This will cause excessive wear and tear on the left and possibly tooth loss on the left. When a tooth is lost, the lack of stimulation causes loss of bone and ultimately bone volume. There is a 25% decrease in width of bone during the first year after tooth loss and an overall 4 mm decrease in height over the next few years.
As bone loses width, gum tissue also gradually decreases. The ability to speak can be impaired. Your bite will change causing muscle soreness and tension leading to TMD (Temporo Mandibular Joint Dysfunction). In the process of drifting and shifting of teeth, your front teeth will inevitably have too much stress to bear and will tend to splay or drift forward.
While these are extreme scenarios, it is important to understand that prevention is better than cure. A simple implant or denture can save you from lots of discomfort and trouble. Your dentist is the best person to ascertain whether or not you need an implant. So go ahead and flash that confident smile!
