You have a missing back tooth, but you have not spent much time thinking about it. Yes, the gap in your smile is annoying, but it is not necessarily bad for your oral and overall health, right? Unfortunately, this is incorrect, and those who go extended periods without replacing molars can experience worsening symptoms over time. To avoid falling victim to this mindset, here are three reasons you should seek professional help to have a back tooth replaced in a timely manner.
Missing Molars: Why Replace Them?
Your molars are located in the back of your mouth, and they are designed to help you chew through food. For this reason, they often bear the brunt of wear and tear. Should one fall out or require extraction as a result of decay, damage, or gum disease, you should not dismiss the notion of having it replaced. Here is why:
- It helps to maintain bone health – When losing a tooth, the jawbone begins to deteriorate over time. As a result, this can lead to further tooth and bone loss. Natural, healthy teeth can begin to shift out of alignment, creating additional problems for your smile, and treatment can become costlier when trying to fix these issues.
- You could develop temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder – Without chewing teeth (molars), the bite and functionality of this part of your mouth will change, creating many difficulties when attempting to eat. As time passes, you may develop significant pain and discomfort, requiring extensive TMD therapy to treat the problem.
- A missing tooth can lead to low self–esteem – If this seems impossible because the missing tooth is located in the back of the mouth, it is not. If the tooth remains untreated, additional teeth may begin to loosen and fall out. This can include those most visible to others. As a result, you may begin to lack confidence and feel embarrassed by your appearance.
What is the Best Option for Tooth Replacement?
Many options on the market can easily replace your missing tooth; however, the most effective and the one viewed by dentists as the “gold standard” is dental implants. These permanent and long-lasting prosthetics are made of titanium and fuse with the bone to create a solid, stable foundation for customized restorations.
Versatile in their ability to replace one tooth or even an entire arch, dental implants allow you to enjoy your favorite foods by restoring your bite force and chewing power. They also maintain a long lifespan that can extend 30+ years or even a lifetime.
Unless you are having a wisdom tooth removed, all other teeth should be replaced. This will prevent additional oral health problems that can negatively impact your lifestyle. Fortunately, with the help of a single dental implant, your dentist can rebuild and restore your smile for good.
About the Practice
DuPont Family Dentistry has four dental professionals who all strive to meet the same goal, which is to help patients achieve happier, healthier smiles. Providing solutions to all types of oral health problems, our team can provide the most advanced restorative services in the area. If faced with a missing tooth, contact us at (253) 964-7000. Let us help restore your appearance and confidence with the help of dental implants.