What Happens If You Don’t Replace Missing Teeth?
Many patients have broken teeth or teeth that are missing completely. Patients who have maintained most of their natural teeth may not be overly concerned with a single missing tooth. In some cases, a patient may wait to replace a missing tooth or opt out of replacing it altogether. Patients should take their missing teeth seriously and ensure they are replaced right away. Failure to replace missing teeth can result in long-term dental issues and cause general health issues as well.
Historically, traditional dentures were the treatment option available to replace missing or damaged teeth. Dentures often come with negative side effects such as being uncomfortable, bulky, tedious to clean, restrict certain types of foods and require ongoing maintenance. Fortunately, new options have been introduced which prevent many of these issues. Modern tooth-replacement options are stable, secure, and mimic the natural teeth in both function and appearance.
Dental implants are the most popular solution for the replacement of one or more missing teeth. Key benefits associated with implants are that they are incredibly secure, functional, and have the appearance of the natural teeth. When implants are properly maintained, they can last for decades.
Implant-supported dentures is another excellent tooth-replacement option. Implant supported dentures can be used for patients who are missing a single tooth or multiple teeth. The implant used to support the dentures is surgically placed into the jaw bone, making this solution permanent. A dentist must remove the dentures if necessary. Partial dentures can be used to fill in the gap where missing teeth are located. The dentures are often created from traditional hard resin material or as flexible partial dentures.
Failure to replace missing teeth can result in serious issues. Some of the most common issues associated with untreated missing teeth are highlighted below.
- Alignment and Bite Issues: Gaps from missing teeth allow shifting of the remaining natural teeth. The misalignment and can cause issues with the patient’s bite and make the teeth difficult to clean. Bite issues can also result in an overcompensation of the natural teeth.
- Crooked or Shifting Teeth: The remaining natural teeth are often impacted from missing teeth which are not replaced. The natural teeth often move or shift into the gap. This weakens the root of the tooth and can even cause the loss of additional teeth.
- General Health Issues: When a patient is missing teeth, they may avoid eating certain types of foods. It can be especially difficult to eat nutritious foods which are rich in fiber. This can result in vitamin deficiencies and have a negative impact on the patient’s health. Serious cases of inadequate nutrition can cause heart disease, diabetes, and other types of issues.
- Loss of Bone: The jawbone is not stimulated when a patient has untreated missing teeth. This can result in deterioration and resorption of the bone. Change in the shape of the bone can impact the patient’s appearance. Dental implants do stimulate the jawbone.
- Painful Headaches: In some cases, patients who are missing teeth avoid chewing on the impacted side of their mouth. This uneven use can cause additional wear on the teeth and result in chronic, painful headaches.
Patients should take their missing teeth seriously and ensure they are promptly treated. Missing teeth which are not replaced can cause serious and permanent issues. Follow up with your dentist to discuss your options.