The Answer To A Burning Question

Have your or a loved one experienced tooth loss and you are wondering if you need to replace your missing tooth? While this might not pertain to you at the moment, you may be in this situation in the future. When front teeth are missing, patients are eager to replace them immediately. However, when the missing tooth is in the back of the mouth, some patients are a little more hesitant and consider leaving the space open. We are here to tell you that we will always recommend a tooth replacement no matter the location of your missing tooth. Missing teeth can lead to serious complications with your oral health. Continue reading to learn more.

Why Replace Missing Teeth?

There are many reasons a patient may experience tooth loss, such as severe decay, trauma to the mouth, aging, and the effects of medication or illness. We know that it can be extremely upsetting when a tooth is missing, and we encourage you to have your tooth replaced as soon as possible.

Although they are individual units in your mouth, your teeth work together as one, and each tooth has a different responsibility. When one tooth is missing, it can change the way the other teeth function and can lead to issues such as:

Shifting Teeth
Teeth have a tendency to move around in your mouth and take any available space. When a tooth is missing, the surrounding teeth will begin to move and shift out of place. This can lead to problems such as overcrowding, crooked teeth, bite issues, and repeated decay.

Uneven Wear
When a tooth is missing, it can change the way the other teeth function. For example, the rear molars will wear faster and unevenly when you are forced to chew in a new way.

To avoid the issues mentioned above, we suggest replacing your missing tooth or teeth as soon as possible. To learn more about the tooth replacement options we recommend, be sure to call our office located in Cincinnati, OH to schedule an appointment. We hope to see you soon!