There are various reasons why you may have a missing tooth. Injury or decay can cause you to lose a tooth. The cause of the tooth loss does not matter nearly as much as the solution. If you have a missing tooth that is not easily noticed by others then you may be tempted to leave it the way it is. It may feel more convenient now to ignore the problem but in the long run it will lead to more issues.

Feel confident about the way you look

Replacing a missing tooth can help you feel more confident about the way you look. If your missing tooth is in a noticeable part of your mouth, you may avoid smiling or interacting with others. Your feelings of shame about the way you look can impede your ability to fully enjoy your life. It is not vain to want to replace a tooth that is missing. Feeling confident about the way you look – especially when it comes to your teeth – can have a significant impact on several areas of your life.

Prevent surrounding teeth from shifting

Having a missing tooth puts your surrounding teeth in danger of shifting. Without the tooth and root there to keep the surrounding teeth in place they can drift. This may not seem like a big deal. Unfortunately, it can lead to major problems. When your teeth drift it can cause issues with alignment. When your teeth are not aligned properly it can lead to grinding, injury, and pain. Getting a replacement tooth will provide stability for the surrounding teeth.

Protect against bone decay

The roots of your teeth are an important part of the stability of your jaw. Roots go deep into your jaw and when you lose a tooth it creates an empty space in the jawbone. When a tooth is missing for an extended period of time, the jawbone will start to deteriorate. This can lead to the eventual loss of other surrounding teeth. And, if you decide in the future that you do want to move forward with a dental implant, too much bone loss can make that process more difficult or even impossible.

Replacing a missing tooth can impact the way your teeth look, function, and last. Getting a replacement tooth will provide you with a smile you can be proud to show off and help you avoid more serious problems in the future. Dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement option. A post is inserted into the bone and the two will fuse over time. This creates a strong replacement root that helps protect against bone loss. A replacement tooth is placed on the post and it can be treated like your natural teeth. If you have a missing tooth and want to explore the possibility of getting a dental implant, schedule a time to meet with Dr. Singh at Dental Remedies.