Do i need a dental bridge? i have a couple of missing teeth in the left back of my mouth. my new dentist recommended that i get a dental bridge, but the teeth are so far back that it doesn't affect my smile, and i've been doing fine without for a couple y

Even : Even teeth in the back of your mouth are not very visible it is very important to have them. Teeth are not only for the looks, they are for function too. If you are missing posterior teeth then you can not chew your food very well and also because there are few teeth missing the rest of the teeth are working harder, trying to compensate for missing teeth. Another consideration is that after you remove the tooth adjacentt teeth start moving and that can create occlusal (bite ) problems later. The best way to eliminate edentulous spaces is to place implants to replace missing teeth. Of course you need professional assesment and treatment planning in order to get impplants, but this treatment modality offers you the most comfort and function. My reccomendation would be find a restorative specialist - prosthodontist and go for a consultation. Good luck!

The : The teeth ini the back may not affect your smile but it would affect your chewing function sooner or later. Now when you still have many teeth, you may not feel the important of couple missing back teeth to help you chew but you will later when you miss more tooth. Also the adjacent teeth may get tilted to missing space or the opposing teeth may over grow into missing space which cause you problem eventually. Also you may need to think between bridge and implant, which one fit better to you.

There : There is no part of your body that you do not need, and this is especially true when considering your teeth. ( I am not going to engage in the esoteric question of why we have an appendix) every tooth you have is necessary and should be replaced as best as possible in the event of loss. Leaving a space between two teeth at the back of the mouth results in the teeth opposing the space where the tooth is missing over erupting into the space. The teeth on either side can start to lean toward the space, and as they do so they no longer support or resist the bite so well. You should close the space where the tooth is missing. There are three options wear a removable denture, have a bridge made, close the space with orthodontics or replace the missing tooth with an implant. Pick one and do it! dr neil mcleod denytistry that lasts - quality that counts.

Should consider it: Back teeth support the vertical height of your face and do the bulk of your chewing. That is why they are bigger and have more roots that front teeth. Front teeth are not designed for chewing food for long periods of time. They are designed to tear into food.

Depends: You chew your food on your back teeth. If you are missing several, you have less chewing power and efficiency. If you're missing teeth on either the top or bottom only, then the opposing teeth tend to shift towards the spaces. This can change your bite and cause jaw problems. Discuss all options and repercussions of no treatment with your dentist.

Back teeth important: Your back teeth are very important to protect your front teeth from excessive biting pressures. Don't neglect them.

Probably should: Missing teethcancausechanges in bite that may cause further loss of teeth and TMJ issues.

Yes: The proper number of teeth is necessary for support on both sides of your mouth for the health of your jaw joints. Also remaining teeth will then have to absorb more of the load than they were designed for. Third, missing teeth cause teeth to tip or lean and move towards the space of the missing teeth. This is called extrusion and affects your bite. Consider a bridge or dental implants.

You do: A dental bridge is needed not only to replace missing teeth in an arch but also to support the opposite arch of teeth , as teeth are in constant movement, so teeth in same arch collapse and shift and teeth in opposite arch overgrow in the empty space.

Missing teeth: There are many reasons for replacing missing teeth: restore bite, prevent shifting of adjacent and opposing teeth, prevent TMJ problem, prevent bone loss and periodontal pockets and so on.