Missing Teeth

Dental Consequences

Loss of a tooth can be a traumatic experience for most individuals. The psychological and esthetic impacts of tooth loss can be difficult for some individuals. Fortunately, modern dentistry has many options to replace missing teeth including bridges and dental implants. It is important to replace any missing teeth as soon as possible to prevent the 1) movement of other teeth which may disrupt your dental bite and 2) to prevent jaw bone loss.

Tooth movement and bite consequences:

• Splaying
• Tiliting
• Drifting
• Over eruption

Loss of jaw bone support is a consequence of tooth loss which is often not discussed with patients until following tooth extraction. The human jaw bone requires the functional load of a tooth or dental implant to maintain itself. If bone does not receive some loading, it will dissolve over time. When a tooth is extracted, a certain amount of jaw bone is lost. Up to 30% of the bone support may be lost within the first year following extraction. Following the first year, the jaw bone dissolves at a slower rate. Complete denture wearers become aware of jaw bone loss as their dentures become loose. People who lose one tooth which is replaced by a bridge may be unaware that the jaw bone is dissolving.

There are multiple problems associated with loss of jaw bone:

1. Inability to eat certain foods
2. Lowered ability to feel and taste foods
3. Lisping or clacking when speaking
4. Bad breath or smell
5. Pain or discomfort
6. Changes in lip support (affect facial symmetry and esthetics)

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