Today, we’re going to talk about a common question: “I’m missing a tooth—do I really need to replace it? What happens if I choose not to?”
Why Should You Replace a Missing Tooth?
Many of our patients ask, “I’ve been missing this tooth for a while—do I really need to replace it? What happens if I don’t?” These are valid questions, and we’re here to help you understand the importance of replacing missing teeth. If you’re missing a front tooth, it can have a profound impact on your smile, appearance, and how others perceive you.
Research has shown that a missing tooth in a smile is often more noticeable than even a missing eyebrow or other facial defects. People are naturally drawn to a smile, and seeing a missing tooth can send off a negative impression.
The Aesthetic and Functional Impacts of Missing Front Teeth
While the primary concern with missing front teeth is aesthetic, there’s also a functional side. With fewer front teeth available to do the cutting and incising, you’ll put more work on the remaining teeth, which can cause them to wear down faster.
Another concern, especially with bottom front teeth, is that the remaining teeth can start to crowd and shift. Your body naturally pushes those bottom teeth together, and as soon as you lose a tooth, the neighboring teeth will start to move into that space. This can create an unesthetic crowding of the teeth and lead to functional issues later on.
Why Replacing a Back Tooth Is Just as Important
Now, what about missing a back tooth? Many patients say, “It’s way back there—I don’t see it, no one else sees it, so does it really matter?” While it’s true that aesthetically speaking, a missing back tooth is not as noticeable, you need to consider the functional impact of losing a back tooth.
Our teeth are designed so that the front teeth cut through the food and send it to the back for the big molars to do all the chewing and grinding. When you lose back teeth, the remaining teeth are under more force. Soon, you’ll start asking the front teeth to do the work they’re not designed for. It’s a domino effect: if you lose one tooth, the other teeth are under more stress, and eventually, they start to break down.
It’s not all doom and gloom, but you need to be aware that the remaining teeth are taking on a lot more work.
Teeth Shifting and Bite Changes
Another important thing to consider is that when you’re missing back teeth, the adjacent teeth will start to shift and move. They may lean into the space or, if you’re missing a bottom tooth, the top tooth may start to migrate down. This shifting throws off your bite.
When your bite changes, the teeth that were previously loaded correctly will now be loaded at an angle, causing breakdown and further destruction. So, while it may seem like losing one small tooth in the back isn’t a big deal, it can have a long-term impact if it’s not addressed.
Exceptions to Replacing Teeth: Wisdom Teeth
There are some teeth we don’t recommend replacing. Most of the time, we don’t suggest replacing a wisdom tooth. When those are removed, they typically aren’t helpful anyway. But as you move forward in the arch of your mouth and get closer to the midline, it becomes very important to replace missing teeth.
Don’t Wait to Address Missing Teeth
If you’re missing a tooth, whether it fell out this morning or you’ve been missing it for years, please come see us. Don’t be scared. We don’t judge—we’re here to help. Our goal is to help you replace that tooth in the best way possible for your mouth.
So, come see us. Give us a call, click the link below, and make an appointment.
I’m Dr. Brett Langston, prosthodontist and owner of Dental Implant and Aesthetic Specialists, and I’m here to help you watch your mouth!
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