Can anything happen if i don't replace a missing tooth with a dental implant? i've lost a tooth midway on the lower left side of my jaw, and my dentist recommended i get a dental implant. nothing about this missing tooth bothers me, but i am concerned tha

Many : Many things will happen by not replacing the missing tooth, some of which i will try to explain in my response to your question 1) your teeth will shift. The teeth behind the space will lean forward, the teeth above the space will super-erupt. This will make for a crooked bite and smile in that area. 2) you will most likely develop periodontal problems on the teeth that are drifting forward. It will be difficult to floss and you may also be more cavity prone on these teeth. 3) your remaining teeth will have to pick up the added forces of chewing your food, making them absorb a bit more wear and tear than they need to. These problems will not occur overnight, but rather take many years to manefest themselves. At that point, it will be burdensome to correct all of them. If you could fit that tooth replacement into your budget, i would recommend you so.

Most : Most people think that missing just one tooth is just a one tooth problem and if it is not in the front, why bother. Research now shows that leaving a tooth with no replacement increases a persons risk of loosing adjacent teeth.There are three basic ways of fixing a missing tooth. 1. A fixed bridge 2. A removable appliance 3. A dental implant a missing tooth affects the way the jaw closes. As soon as the tooth is lost, the supporting bone in the jaw begins to dissolve.The longer the tooth is missing, the greater the bone loss. Apart from chewing, teeth perform many functions, they are important for the well being of the gums and the jaw tissues as well as to the symmetry of your face.Once a tooth is lost, corrective measures should be should be taken as soon as possible to avoid complications. If there is a financial problem, and implants are expensive, try a removable appliance such as a flipper. It is not the best choice, but it is better than suffering from the above consequences by doing nothing! take care of your teeth, you only have one set and they are an important part of your overall physical and mental well being.

Doctor : Doctor davantzis has answered well and hit all the good points that should be remembered. It is very exciting to see that there are so many good doctors with such a strong base of knowledge to draw upon. There is something that occurs with time that is of concern should you decide not to have an implant placed, and that is that the jaw bone that originally supported the tooth that was taken out will slowly resorb away (shrink back). That has the effect of requiring a denture to be relined, and for a gap to develop underneath a bridge. The presence of an implant in the jaw bone provides a stimulus that keeps the bone in the ridge, and for that reason alone the implant is a better option. I do hope that helps you to make your decision! dr neil mcleod dds dentistry that lasts - quality that counts.

The : The two previous answers give the biologic reasons why it is important to replace missing or lost teeth. It seems from your question that you are someone who takes care of themselves and is concerned for your overall dental health. If that is the case, then you will be best served by replacing this lost tooth. You don't have to do an implant, but you should discuss with your dentist what other alternatives you have. If you don't replace this tooth, you may be headed down the wrong path to future dental problems.

Teeth will move: Your teeth will move when they don't have a tooth next to them and biting against (opposing) them. The opposing tooth will super erupt or appear longer, behind the space your teeth will lean forward causing bone deterioration, bite changes and possible jaw pain. Damage to other teeth may also occur. Removable partial dentures or bridges also prevent this, but implants are best if possible.

Maybe: Depending upon the integrity of the rest of your teeth your bite may remain stable i.e. Your teeth will not shift. If however things are not stable teeth will migrate and in that case you are better off with a dental implant.

Replace : Replace with something before too long, or risk teeth shifting. This can cause severe problems later in life. Implant is best choice if you have the bone.

Missing 1st molar?: Implant is the best way to treat a missing tooth. However, if unable to afford it financially, it is ok to wait if the tooth is not a first molar and the rest of the mouth is in good occlusion. The amount of missing teeth also plays an important role. Missing multiple teeth may lead to inadequate support and occlusal overloads. Missing single tooth and that tooth is not a molar, you can wait.

Shifting: If a tooth is not replaced the tooth in front of the space and the tooth behind the space can move into the space. The opposing tooth can move up or down. Have the tooth replaced. The longer you wait the more complicated it may become.

Bone loss: Once a tooth is removed, the bone that used to be around the root of that tooth begins to dissolve, with as much as half of that bone gone in the first two years... A dental implant's primary benefit is the preservation of that bone.

Replace: Replacing a missing tooth is important to maintain the arch and keep the adjacent teeth from drifting and the opposing tooth from extruding. These result in several problems, both esthetic and occlusal!

A video: Illustrating the consequences can be found here. Tooth migration is but one of the issues: http://www.Orasurgery.Com/services/replace-missing-teeth.Php.

Adjacent teeth move: A missing tooth in the middle of an arch (jaw) creates a space that the adjacent teeth often drift or angle into and teeth opposing the space drift down or up into the space. The end result is an uneven bite, potential spaces between other teeth, a sore jaw when chewing, etc... If you decide to correct the problem after the movement occurs, you'll need braces to correct the malpositioned first!