What happens if you don’t replace a missing tooth? Losing a tooth can seem like a problem you can deal with later. If the area is not painful and you can still eat relatively normally, it may not feel urgent to replace it.
But a missing tooth affects more than the space where the tooth used to be.
Over time, tooth loss can change the way you bite, the position of your surrounding teeth, and the bone that once supported the missing tooth.
What Happens When You Lose a Tooth?
Your teeth are designed to work together. Each tooth helps maintain the position of the teeth around it and contributes to a balanced bite.
When one is missing, the surrounding teeth no longer have the same support.
The teeth next to the space can gradually shift. A tooth in the opposing jaw may also begin moving into the empty space.
These changes may happen slowly, which is one reason people sometimes do not realize anything is changing.
Bone Loss After Tooth Loss
One of the biggest long-term effects of losing a tooth is bone loss.
The roots of your teeth stimulate the jawbone and help maintain its structure. Once a tooth is removed or lost, that stimulation is gone. Over time, the bone in that area can begin to shrink.
This is known as bone resorption.
Bone loss can make certain types of tooth replacement more complicated later. It can also contribute to changes in the shape and support of the lower face.
Can Missing Teeth Affect Your Other Teeth?
Yes.
When there is an empty space, neighboring teeth may gradually move toward it. This can affect your bite and may create areas that are more difficult to clean.
Food can become trapped around shifting teeth, making good oral hygiene more difficult.
A change in your bite can also place different amounts of pressure on individual teeth.
Can One Missing Tooth Change Your Appearance?
It can.
A single missing tooth may not create an obvious facial change immediately. However, significant or long-term tooth loss can contribute to changes in the jawbone and the support provided to the lips and cheeks.
This is one reason tooth replacement is about more than simply filling an empty space.
Does Every Missing Tooth Need to Be Replaced?
Not necessarily.
The location of the missing tooth, your bite, the health of your remaining teeth, and your overall oral health all matter.
Some people may have specific reasons why replacing a particular tooth is not necessary. A dentist can evaluate your individual situation and explain what may happen if the space is left untreated.
What Are the Options for Replacing a Missing Tooth?
Depending on your situation, tooth replacement may include:
- A dental implant
- A dental bridge
- A partial denture
- A full denture when multiple teeth are missing
- An implant-supported restoration
There is no single solution that is right for everyone.
The Bottom Line
A missing tooth may not hurt, but that does not mean it has no effect on your oral health.
Over time, tooth loss can contribute to movement of surrounding teeth, changes in your bite, jawbone loss, and changes in facial support.
If you have been living with a missing tooth for months or even years, it is not necessarily too late to explore your options. Understanding what is happening is the first step toward deciding whether replacing the tooth makes sense for you.
If you’re ready to learn more about your options for replacing your missing teeth, call us to schedule a no-pressure consultation with us. Dr. Kakaris and Dr. Kakaris have over 50 years of combined experience restoring smiles in the Downriver Michigan area.