Missing teeth can lead to all sorts of problems aside from the impact they have on your appearance. That is why we recommend replacing missing teeth as soon as possible.
A missing tooth can cause discomfort when you eat and chew and can also make it difficult to speak clearly. Since surrounding teeth have to take up some of the work of the missing tooth, they may also feel sore and overworked.
This can also lead to problems with your dental bite as excess pressure causes you to move your jaw in an unnatural way. When your bite is unbalanced (meaning that you bite down harder on one side than the other), you may start to grind your teeth. In turn, teeth grinding can lead to its own problems like premature wear, broken teeth, and even TMD.
Another potential problem is the natural movement of your teeth over time. When a tooth and its root are missing, surrounding teeth will gradually move to fill the empty space. This happens because there is nothing there to prevent them from shifting out of their proper position.
Replacing missing teeth is not just good for your self-esteem, but it also benefits your oral health. At Northern Hills Dental we offer a number of solutions for replacing missing teeth, including dental implants, bridges, and dentures. Please contact us to arrange a consultation so we can explain all your options.