Missing One Tooth? It Can Cause More Than One Problem
If you’ve lost a tooth somehow, whether it was an accident, decay, or extraction purposes, you may feel that it’s not a big deal; especially if it’s somewhat in the back. However, a lone lost tooth could cause more than just a divot in your smile.
Chewing is not as simple as it seems.
When you lose a tooth, the teeth around it and the opposing side of the mouth compensate for the lost one, changing the way you chew gradually. Some people tend to favor one side while chewing without realizing it.
Not only that, but the neighboring teeth start to lean or drift toward the empty spot
the tooth opposite the gap also drifts forward because it no longer has something to bite down on. The bone in your jaws are constantly being broken down and rebuilt by chewing forces.
The loss of a tooth can cause the bone to gradually resorb (shrink) in both width and height in the area around the gap.
This can happen to all of us, and that’s why most dentists would advise you to replace a lost tooth within a few months.
Teeth not only lean or drift into the gap, but the movement also causes your bite to change gradually. This can cause additional problems, such as soreness or unevenness in your bite.
There is no right or wrong answer.
It depends on your preferences and how much work you’re willing to put into it. You have a few options:
- A dental bridge made up of your neighboring teeth that holds a false tooth in place
- a partial denture, which is removable but can also be an excellent option in some circumstances
- or last but not least,
- a single-dental-implant.
A single dental implant
A single dental implant is a good choice if you want to avoid putting unnecessary force on the neighboring teeth. Because the implant replaces both the root and the visible part of the tooth, it helps to hold the bone in place by stimulating it.
You have to be in good health, and have sufficient bone density for the implant to have a good chance of being successful.
One of the biggest factors in qualifying for a dental implant is the density of your bone, along with the condition of your gums. You may also need to have some sort of scan or x-ray done in order see how much bone you have to see if you’re a candidate for a dental implant or if you need to do something else first.
Dental implants aren’t for everyone and they may not be the best option for you.
It’s hard to say which option may be the easiest for you without seeing what you have going on in your mouth.
If you’re suffering from the loss of a tooth, no matter where it is, it’s important to seek out treatment. The team at Mumtaj Dental Care can determine which options may be the best fit for you by looking at your gums and the density of your bone, and they can walk you through the procedure.
