While dentistry today is aimed at preserving teeth, sometimes this is not possible. The loss of a tooth (or teeth) can have aesthetic and functional consequences. You may dislike the gap in your smile that you can see in photos of yourself, or perhaps you find that chewing is more difficult than it was before. You might even find that the teeth you have left are wearing down quicker and breaking more often.
Like a block wall, your teeth are designed to work together to maintain the proper structure and function of your mouth. When a few blocks are missing, the wall will still stand but it is not as strong as it once was and is therefore more likely to break apart under stress.
In the mouth, a number of things happen when a space is created from the loss of a tooth:
- The root of the tooth works to support the bone and gum in the mouth.
- With no tooth to provide support and stimulation, the bone and gum shrinks and the surrounding teeth will slowly move into the empty space.
- When the teeth move, they begin to hit in ways they were not meant to. This increases the chances of overloading and breakages.
Luckily, there are several ways to replace missing teeth if you are concerned. At Parade Dental Ocean Grove, we are trained in the latest techniques and technology to help you find a solution that matches your needs:
