Some people who lose a posterior tooth question whether to replace it. The team at Advanced Dentistry of Charlotte – Dr. Christopher A. Bowman hears this one a lot. After all, it doesn’t show when you smile and there are other teeth to take over the chewing functions. Why not avoid the expense to replace it and save some money? Actually, there are several important reasons to replace a back tooth with a permanent dental implant if possible:
1. The adjacent tooth (or teeth) may start shifting.
If a tooth tips, moves, or rotates, it can influence the bite. The unopposed tooth can also move, though it generally moves outward from the bone (over-eruption). Teeth that are displaced can become more vulnerable to gum disease, decay, or TMJ pain.
2. The underlying bone will eventually pull back.
Without the tooth root, the jaw bone pulls back. This changes the shape of the face and gives it a sunk-in look due to a decline in supporting bone. The vertical shortening advances and becomes more pronounced as you get older.
3. There will be increased stress on the teeth that take over the chewing functions.
This can result in excessive wear, fracture, or pain.
If you have a missing posterior tooth and want to learn about dental implants, call Advanced Dentistry of Charlotte today. We offer general dentistry, dental implants, sedation dentistry, and cosmetic dental services and are ready to help you smile!
Contact Advanced Dentistry of Charlotte – Dr. Christopher A. Bowman:
704-337-8070
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1618 E Morehead St Ste 100
Charlotte, North Carolina
28207
