If you lose a tooth and you never get it replaced, other than for aesthetics.. why do you need to replace it?

Question

Lost a tooth due to breaking it a while back. Never got it replaced because it is not that easily noticeable unless I smile real big. Are there any health issues or problems that may occur if I don't ever get it replaced?

Answer 1

When a tooth isn't replaced the other teeth that border it begin to move into the empty space. As they drift over, the teeth that neighbor them start to drift as well. Although many people go through life having the same problem without difficulty, you could potentially develop problems chewing, pain from a poorly articulated bite, and a gappy looking grin.

Answer 2

If the tooth and root are gone and there is an empty spot you MUST get it replaced. They will put a fake tooth in the spot and anchor it in with a bridge. It can be expensive but it will cost you way more later on if you dont do it.

Here is why? If you have a vacant spot the surrounding teeth will move to fill in that spot. If it is a bottom tooth, the upper teeth move downward and the teeth on both side of it move to fill in the gap. If it is the upper tooth the same will happen but the bottom teeth move upward to fill the space.

This is true and it happened to me. In High School the dentist pulled to lower molars without putting in a fake tooth (I was maybe 15). By the time I was 22 and went to a dentist he could not belive the damage. All my teeth were crooked and coming out by the roots. They all had shifted some. Now there was only one way to correct it FULL SET OF BRACES for 2 yrs and I spent A TON ON MONEY (at the time about $4,000 but much more today). It was alot to have to go through but worth it. I take real great care of my teeth now and have a great dentist (the secret to great teeth).
FIX YOUR TOOTH NOW, DONT WAIT.

Answer 3

Over time the space left by that tooth will allow the other teeth to spread and possibly leave not only gaps but crooked teeth. This can cause pockets in the gums which will cause gingivitis and pyorrhea unless kept extremely clean. These diseases can end up eroding the bone and you can loose all your teeth which can simply fall out. You've also lost one chewing surface. This can affect the way your food is digested and can lead to stomach problems down the road if you don't chew food down to digestible size before swallowing. All this is worst case scenario, but your teeth have to last a long time and bad dental health can lead to so many other health problems. Better to get that lost tooth replaced now.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, "evidence based dentistry" no longer supports the party line that the neighboring teeth will shift. The other teeth CAN shift, but they do not always shift. If you've been a year with no problems and you understand what problems MIGHT develop if you do not replace the tooth and you are willing to "run the risk," then don't replace it. You can always replace it in 5 years if you change your mind. If you want to be freaky paranoid about this, ask your dentist to take impressions and make models of your teeth as they are today so that you can actually compare with measurements as time goes by. If you see as much as a millimeter of shifting, then you might decide to act before too much goes wrong.

Answer 5

If u don't replace your tooth, over time your teeth will start separating and you'll start seeing gaps between your teeth. Depending where the tooth is missing, the upper or lower tooth will start moving up or down in it's place. It is important to somehow replacing missing teeth, it's not only because of the looks but to retain the same chewing force.

Answer 6

One problem that may occur is your teeth will shift apart and you will end up with big spaces between your teeth. Also if you want an implant and you wait too long to replace the tooth you will have to deal with possible bone loss and then you may be a better candidate for a fixed bridge. Also if your teeth shift you end up with sinus issues/pain.
I just went through the braces to fix the spaces and the fixed bridge. I wish I did it sooner.

Answer 7

yeah that's replaced depending on how that's lost, the full the tooth or section. My son broke his front the tooth in 0.5. first they bonded it for years. It regarded ok. then that got here off a pair time. so now he have been given it capped. i grew to become into afraid, however the dentist industry has come alongside way. It seems merely like all different front the tooth and same colour too!

Answer 8

I think the only issue would be the other teeth around it moving to fill in the space. There are options to replace it, from a bridge to a dental implant. And if there is a root left, they can crown it.

If there is any root left, you do want a dentist to check it out. You don't need a cavity or infection setting in.

Answer 9

Yes. Oh, where to begin?
I have lost almost all of my back teeth. I used to think the same way you do, till the uneven pressure on the remaining teeth started crushing each tooth. Lots of pain. Lots of abscess. Lots of stuff I love to eat but can't, because I can't chew it up fine enough for my stomach to digest. Also, because it is much easier for the remaining teeth to break.
If you can afford to get them fixed and keep them healthy, do so. If you can't, reorder your financial priorities so at least you can keep up with the damage as it occurs.

Answer 10

If it is one further back, your teeth will start to shift into the empty hole tipping sideways which may make it painful and uncomfortable to chew. That is why you should get it replaced sooner than later before bigger more expensive problems develop.