For many people, the loss of a tooth is worrisome all by itself. Not only does it affect their smile’s appearance, but it can also disrupt their bite’s balance and change how their teeth feel when they bite, chew, and speak. However, there are many subsequent problems with your oral health that can result from the continuing consequences of tooth loss, and restoring your smile as soon as possible is the best way to address them.
The misalignment of your remaining teeth
The overall alignment of your teeth has special significance to most of your oral health. It dictates how well your bite functions, as well as the overall appearance of your smile. Likewise, your teeth alignment can be affected by a number of different factors, and losing a tooth is one of the most impactful ones. The empty space created by the loss of a tooth throws your bite off balance, and to compensate, one or more teeth may drift toward the space over time. As their alignment changes, your bite pressure can be further disrupted, leading to even more subsequent problems with your bite function and oral health.
The shrinking of your jawbone structure
The alignment of your remaining teeth isn’t the only thing that’s negatively impacted by the empty space created by a lost tooth. The root of your tooth will also be lost, and this can create an empty space in the socket where the root once rested. This empty space can negatively impact the strength and integrity of your jawbone, causing it to lose mass and density as it loses the stimulation that the root once provided. Over time, this can cause the area of your jawbone structure to shrink, which can increase your risks of several different problems in the future.
The loss of other healthy, natural teeth
When your teeth shift out of alignment and the jawbone structure that supports them grows weaker, your risks of losing one or more teeth in the future become higher. An important goal in restoring your smile is to prevent this from occurring and improve your chances of retaining the rest of your healthy, natural smile. Fortunately, dental implant restorations can address the loss of both your tooth’s crown and its root, helping you avoid the shrinking of your dental ridge and the loss of any more teeth.
Protect your smile from the effects of tooth loss
There are many different problems with your oral health that could arise if you don’t address the loss of a tooth soon. To learn more, schedule an appointment with us by calling Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS, today at 913-681-5500. We also serve patients who live in Overland Park and all surrounding communities.
