The Importance Of Replacing Missing Teeth
Have you recently experienced tooth loss and are struggling to decide if you need to replace your tooth or if you should leave the space alone? Dealing with tooth loss can be extremely challenging for a patient, causing feelings of sadness, uncertainty, and confusion. We are here to help patients work through their feelings and get through the process of replacing their tooth or teeth. We encourage any patient to replace a missing tooth as soon as possible, no matter the location. The only teeth that do not need to be replaced are wisdom teeth and teeth that were removed prior to orthodontic treatment.
Why Replace Missing Teeth
Although each tooth is separately placed in your mouth, all of your teeth work together as a unit. When even one tooth is missing, it can affect the way the surrounding teeth function and can lead to serious problems. Think of how a sports team works. If a player is injured and removed from the game, a new player is put in to replace them. If the position was left unattended, the other players would need to work harder, leading to exhaustion and a greater chance for injury. This is exactly what happens when there is a missing tooth. A missing tooth causes the surrounding teeth to work harder and can lead to uneven wear, which will eventually cause damage to the enamel, eventually wearing it down or cracking it.
Reasons to Replace Missing Teeth
There are many reasons to replace missing teeth, but the most important are:
- To avoid surrounding teeth from shifting out of place
- To eliminate the possibility of the jawbone deteriorating
- To ensure that you are properly chewing your food
- To eliminate the possibility of developing a lisp or speech impediment
If you live in Terre Haute, IN or the surrounding area and need a tooth replacement, we are happy to discuss the variety of options we offer. We will discuss your lifestyle and budget and find a solution that will leave you with beautiful and lasting results. Call our office to schedule an appointment. We look forward to seeing you soon!
