Does a Missing Tooth Need to Be Replaced?

Many people ask if a missing tooth needs to be replaced. This is especially true if the tooth doesn't cause them any discomfort. The answer to whether you need to replace a missing tooth is resounding YES! Even though you may not realize it, a missing tooth is damaging your oral health, and it can impact the beauty of your smile.

How a Missing Tooth Damages Your Oral Health

When teeth are side-by-side, they support one another. They work as a system when chewing food. When you're missing a tooth, the teeth surrounding the missing one start to shift, when teeth start to move towards the opening where the missing tooth was, this can cause issues with chewing food correctly.

The shifting of other teeth causes chewing changes, but it can also lead to tooth decay. With the changes in other teeth' position, bacteria can start to collect in areas not easily reached during brushing and flossing. As the bacteria accumulate, so does plaque and then decay.

Not only does the missing tooth cause oral health problems, but it can also cause your teeth to look crooked. As those teeth shift towards the open space, they will lean. As they lean, the other teeth beside them will lean. Before you know it, your smile will start to show the effects of that missing tooth.

Replacing a Missing Tooth with Dental Implants

Dental implants are an effective way to replace a missing tooth. Implants function and look just like natural teeth. When placed in the open space, the teeth surrounding it will remain where they were to avoid any dental health risks. The smile remains just as beautiful as it was before the missing tooth.

While dental implants are a good option for replacing a missing tooth, there are some things you should know:

• With proper care, dental implants can last over 25 years before having to be replaced.
• Receiving dental implants isn't uncomfortable. To avoid pain and discomfort, most dental implant dentists use local anesthesia. Most people say it hurts less than a tooth extraction.
• It's easier to care for your teeth with dental implants because food doesn't collect underneath them or around them as easily as other tooth replacement options.

Who Is a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Most patients can receive dental implants to replace missing teeth. Patients who take steroids or other medications that lower the immune system may not be a candidate for them. Also, patients who clench or grind their teeth are not good candidates because they can damage them.

Contact Us for Dental Implants in Pasadena

If you're interested in dental implants in Pasadena, contact Prestige Dental Family, Cosmetic, and Implant Dentistry at 626-577-2017. We offer many dental services to replace a missing tooth.

Do NOT put your oral health at risk by ignoring your missing tooth. Get the tooth replaced, so you can continue to have a beautiful smile you can be proud to show off.

Location: 1060 E Green St #203, Pasadena, CA 91106