Sometimes when people lose a back tooth they wonder whether they should bother replacing it. After all, it doesn’t show when you smile and there are other teeth to do the chewing. Why not leave it be and save some money? Actually, there are several very good reasons to replace a back tooth with a dental implant from Steven T. Cutbirth DDS in Waco:
1. The adjacent tooth (or teeth) may start shifting.
If a tooth tilts, moves, or rotates, it can impact 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 shrinks. This changes the dimensions of the face and gives it a sunk-in look due to a decline in supporting bone. The vertical shortening progresses and becomes more pronounced as you get older.
3. There will be additional stress on the teeth that take over the chewing functions.
This can bring about excessive wear, fracture, or pain.
If you have a missing back tooth and want to learn about dental implants, call Steven T. Cutbirth DDS in Waco. Our patients come from Woodway, Hewitt, and Robinson for implants and other restorative dentistry, and for much more. Call for an appointment today!
Contact Steven T. Cutbirth DDS:
254-772-5420
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1613 Lake Success Dr
Waco, Texas
76710