If you lose a tooth, it can be important to replace it quickly, and here is why.
- A missing tooth allows your remaining teeth to shift position, affecting appearance and your bite, so replacing it can help prevent this.
- When you lose a tooth, the teeth opposing may gradually move out of place, over erupting unless they have a replacement tooth to bite against.
- Unwanted tooth movements mean you may bite down harder on some teeth than others, potentially chipping or cracking or wearing them down excessively.
- A change to your bite can affect your jaw joints, causing them to become painful and inflamed, a condition called TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder.
- Healthy teeth help protect your jawbone, but your jawbone gradually resorbs when they are lost. Restoring a tooth with a dental implant protects against some bone loss.
- Teeth help support your facial muscles, and without them, your facial features can collapse inwards, prematurely ageing your appearance.
- It’s more difficult to speak clearly without teeth.
- Tooth loss can affect your dietary choices and negatively impact digestion.
- When you know your smile doesn’t look its best, it can affect self-confidence.