Is It Necessary to Replace a Missing Tooth?
Yes, timely replacement (filling the gap) is strongly recommended.
Leaving a missing tooth unreplaced is like removing a brick from a wall; it can lead to a "chain reaction of collapse":
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Shifting of Adjacent Teeth: The teeth next to the gap will gradually tilt or drift into the empty space. This leads to larger, difficult-to-clean gaps between teeth, increasing the risk of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease.
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Over-Extrusion of the Opposing Tooth: The tooth opposite the gap, lacking contact and resistance, can slowly elongate (super-erupt). This disrupts the proper bite alignment (occlusion).
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Impaired Chewing and Nutrition: Chewing primarily on one side places extra burden on those teeth and may lead to inadequate chewing, potentially affecting digestion and nutrition.
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Facial Collapse and Jaw Joint Problems: The loss of multiple back teeth can cause the cheeks to lose support, leading to a sunken facial appearance that looks aged. It may also contribute to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, causing symptoms like clicking, popping, or pain when opening and closing the mouth.