Missing teeth can have a significant impact on your oral health, appearance, and overall well-being. Whether you’ve lost a tooth due to injury, decay, or gum disease, it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible in order to avoid any long-term negative effects.
Thankfully, there are permanent options to replace your missing teeth, such as dental implants.
If you’re trying to decide whether or not it’s “worth it” to get implants for missing teeth, consider these common side effects of tooth loss:
Changes in Your Tooth Alignment (Crooked, Leaning Teeth)
One of the most noticeable side effects of missing teeth is changes in tooth alignment. When a tooth is missing, the surrounding teeth may begin to shift, leading to crooked or leaning teeth. This can cause problems with biting and chewing, as well as make it more difficult to clean your teeth effectively, increasing your risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
Abnormal Enamel Wear Due to Missing Teeth
Another side effect of missing teeth is abnormal enamel wear. When a tooth is missing, the surrounding teeth may begin to bear more pressure, leading to excessive wear and tear on the enamel. The additional movement or tooth shifting can cause these teeth to bite against their partners abnormally. This can cause your teeth to wear down at an accelerated rate or even crack or break, leading to further dental problems.
TMJ Problems
Missing teeth can also lead to problems with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). When a tooth is missing, it can put extra stress on other teeth, leading to changes in your TMJ movement. Abnormal chewing patterns can lead to pain, discomfort, and problems with jaw function.
Bone Loss Around Missing Teeth
When a tooth falls out or is extracted, the bone in that area of the jaw begins to resorb (shrink.) The good news is that dental implants help prevent bone resorption by strengthening the areas where they’re installed.
Dental Implants in Midlothian, Ellis County
Dental implants are a popular and effective solution for missing teeth, and can help to mitigate many of the negative effects associated with missing teeth. Dental implants are designed to replace the root of a missing tooth, providing a stable foundation for a replacement crown. This helps to prevent changes in tooth alignment and abnormal enamel wear, and can also help to preserve the integrity of your jawbone and TMJ.
At Texas Institute of Oral, Facial & Implant Surgery, we offer dental implant treatment in Midlothian to help our patients restore the function and appearance of their smiles. Our implant expert is dedicated to providing safe, effective, and personalized dental care to help our patients achieve their oral health goals.
If you are missing one or more teeth and are concerned about the side effects, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our implant specialist today. We can evaluate your oral health, discuss your options for treatment, and help you determine the best course of action for restoring the function and appearance of your smile.