Why Do You Need to Replace Missing Back Teeth?

Do you have missing teeth? It is a common issue that 178 million other Americans are also dealing with. Fortunately, there are numerous tooth replacement options out there to help you get your smile back. No one wants to be showing off their mouth with a missing front tooth, but what about the ones in the back? After all, you can’t see them. Read on to learn about the inconveniences and risks of not replacing the missing back tooth that you lost.

Harder to Eat

When you are missing a tooth in the back of your mouth, it can be more challenging for you to chew your food thoroughly. You could even end up with a limited menu because there are only some foods that you can eat without difficulty. When you have a missing tooth replaced with a dental implant, you can restore up to 90% of your natural chewing power. This way, you won’t need to worry about enjoying your favorite cuisine!

Wear and Tear of Surrounding Teeth

If you have few teeth to use, they will wear down more quickly than they normally would. This is because they are doing additional work to make up for the missing tooth or teeth. The crown that is placed on the end of an implant is highly durable, just like natural teeth, so you will be able to chew your food without putting excessive pressure on your surrounding teeth.

Misalignment Issues

When there is a gap in your smile, the adjacent teeth will naturally begin to try to fill this gap. This can cause overcrowding and misalignment. By filling in this empty space with a dental implant, you can keep yourself from require orthodontic work in the future.

Jawbone Shrinkage

If you are missing a tooth, your jawbone isn’t being stimulated in that area by regular chewing. Ultimately, the body will begin to reabsorb the bone, therefore causing the structure of your face to change over time. This means that you will develop sunken cheeks and wrinkled lips, causing you to look much older than you actually are. Dental implants are the only option out there that preserve the integrity of the jawbone because they replace the root of the missing tooth.

TMJ Disorder

When the structure of your mouth changes, you are more likely to develop temporomandibular joint disorder. This can cause jaw pain that leads to chronic headaches. When you replace a missing tooth in the back of the mouth, you are preventing the structure of the mouth from changing and reducing your risk of this condition.

Others might not notice if you have a gap in the back of your smile, but you will pay the price over time if you don’t have it replaced. Talk to your dentist to discuss your options. This way, you can restore your smile!

About the Author

Dr. Travis A. Markle earned his dental doctorate from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and has participated in hundreds of hours of continuing education to keep his knowledge and skills sharp. Currently, he is a member of the American College of Dentists, Southwest Academy of Restorative Dentistry, American Dental Association, and Texas Dental Association. To learn more about tooth replacement options or to schedule an appointment at his office in Tyler, visit his website or call (903) 597-7902.