Many dental patients find themselves with a missing tooth at some point in their lives. This is a common occurrence and can happen for multiple reasons, such as gum disease, tooth decay and trauma from an accident. Missing teeth are often regarded simply as a cosmetic issue, but there are complications that can arise from leaving the problem untreated.
These are five of the most frequent complications that can happen when a missing tooth is not replaced.
Excess room in the mouth from a missing tooth can result in the rest of the teeth shifting and moving out of place. Shifting of the teeth may cause gaps or crowding. Teeth crowding also makes it more difficult to properly clean the rest of the teeth. This increases the chance of developing tooth decay, potentially causing further tooth loss.
When the teeth move and shift, it may result in a misalignment of the bite, a condition called malocclusion. Misalignments often cause further issues with the rest of the teeth and may result in pain, tooth loss and headaches. Malocclusions increase the risk of developing TMD, a condition that causes pain upon movement of the jaw joint and muscles.
Teeth are vital in maintaining the structure of the jaw. When a dental patient loses a tooth or multiple teeth, the support and stimulation in the jawbone are lost. Without this support, the bones of the jaw then begin to atrophy. Bone loss can cause sagging of the face and may drastically alter a patient’s appearance, making them look much older.
Patients with a missing tooth or teeth often have speech issues. Loss of teeth can make it difficult to pronounce certain sounds, which may cause patients to slur their words when speaking. The impact on speech may also result in whistling sounds upon certain pronunciations as well as spitting while talking. Speech issues often result in a loss of confidence in patients.
When a tooth is missing, chewing frequently becomes much more difficult. It may cause pain while eating, which often causes a patient to eat less and avoid certain foods that are especially painful to chew. Difficulty chewing can cause drastic changes in a patient’s diet in an attempt to avoid this pain, sometimes leading to poor nutrition and deficiencies. Certain deficiencies can negatively impact a patient’s oral health, leading to more dental issues.
For adults, a missing tooth is a troubling experience that can result in complications if left untreated. However, there are many successful and affordable treatment options available today. Dentures, dental implants and bridges are the most common solutions that are used to restore teeth. Patients no longer have to feel embarrassed while dealing with the negative impacts of missing teeth and can once again feel confident in their smiles.
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