No One Can See My Missing Tooth — Why Should I Replace It?

If you are missing one of your front teeth, you may be eager to replace it so you can get back to smiling with confidence. However, if one of your back teeth is missing, you may be in less of a hurry. After all, no one can see it! The truth is, though, that it is important to replace lost molars and premolars. This blog post explores why that is the case.

Consequences of a Missing Back Tooth

If you do not get your back tooth replaced in a timely fashion, you might face a number of serious consequences:

• Decreased chewing ability. You may find it more difficult to consume your favorite foods. If you chew exclusively on the opposite side of your mouth, that could lead to uneven dental wear and uneven muscle development in your face and jaw.
• Dental drift. Did you know that your teeth can move? When a tooth goes missing, nearby teeth may start to drift into the empty space, which can affect the alignment of your bite.
• Additional tooth loss. The loss of a single tooth can increase your risk of additional tooth loss in the future. This can happen due to weakness in the jawbone and other factors.
• Gum irritation. Food particles and bacteria may be more likely to irritate the gums at the site of a missing tooth.

Replacing Your Lost Back Tooth

Modern dentistry offers a few different tooth replacement options. However, your dentist is likely to recommend a dental implant as the best way to rebuild your lost molar or premolar because:

• Dental implants preserve the jawbone. They can prevent the bone loss that normally occurs after tooth loss, which preserves your facial shape and is beneficial for nearby teeth.
• Strong chewing power. Dental implants are almost as strong as natural teeth, so they can stand up to virtually any food.
• Natural look and feel. Implants are modeled after the structure of real teeth, so you can expect yours to feel almost like you never even had a gap in your smile.
• No need to modify nearby teeth. With a traditional bridge, it can be necessary to modify the structure of nearby teeth. Because dental implants are self-supporting, they allow your natural teeth to remain intact.

Replacing a lost back tooth is just as important as replacing a front tooth! Talk to your dentist about how you can regain a complete smile.

Meet the Practice

Dr. Arash Vahid is a highly skilled dentist who has completed a two-year dental implant and restorative maxi-course at NYU. He carefully plans each patient’s case with the goal of providing optimum long-term results. If you would like to replace one or more of your teeth, Dr. Vahid and our team are ready to serve you. Contact AV Dental Associates of Ramsey at 201-962-8452.