Do you have one or more missing teeth? It is important to replace them, even if they are at the back of your mouth. When spaces are left in between teeth it can cause problems. This is because your teeth are designed to work together, and even just one missing tooth can make a difference.

The Effect of Missing Teeth on Your Remaining Teeth
When you lose a tooth then the adjacent teeth will begin drifting into the gap. This has the effect of moving your teeth out of the correct alignment and can mean new spaces will open up in between teeth, and that the way your teeth bite together will change.

As your bite changes, it can affect your jaw joints (called temporomandibular joints), putting them under additional stress and strain. This can lead to a condition called TMD, which stands for temporomandibular disorder. TMD can be very painful and may require specialized treatment or even surgery.

Teeth that have shifted out of position can be harder to clean properly. This can put you at increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay, and could even increase the risk of further tooth loss.

Tooth loss also alters the shape of your face. Your teeth provide support to your cheeks and lips, and ensure the correct dimensions are maintained between your upper and lower jaws. If teeth are missing, it can have the effect of making it look as if your face is collapsing in on itself which may be quite aging.

Ways of Replacing Missing Teeth
Luckily there are several different ways of replacing missing teeth. The most cost-effective method is to have a denture which can be made to replace just a few teeth, or all of the teeth in the upper and lower jaw. Your second option is to have a bridge that is held in place by natural teeth. An increasingly popular choice is to have dental implants as these can be used to hold a single dental crown, dental bridges or even complete dentures.

If you have missing teeth and you need a dentist in the Toronto area, contact our office today.