Sometimes it can seem that getting a tooth pulled is the quickest solution to all of your problems. If you’ve had a bad toothache, abscess, or broken your tooth in a softball game, an extraction is one of the fastest ways to get you out of pain. Unfortunately, tooth loss can also have long-lasting implications when it comes to the rest of your smile.
A Change in Tooth Alignment
When you have a set of books sitting on the shelf, but take one off, what happens? It’s likely to be just a matter of time before the other neatly arranged books tilt inward, and it’s not just one: it’s all of them. Now let’s say you have a set of books sitting on top of that set, what would happen? They would become crooked as well.
The same happens to your teeth.
After a tooth is lost or removed, the bone around it begins to resorb or “shrink.” The neighbouring tooth also loses its placeholder. As such, it tilts inward and starts a chain reaction. Our bodies are designed in such a way that even the opposing teeth will “super erupt” to find a biting partner, after a tooth is lost.
CONCERNS RELATED TO ALIGNMENT DIFFERENCES
What if the aesthetics of crooked teeth doesn’t bother you? This may seem like a personal decision, but it’s important to note that misaligned or crooked teeth will also increase your risk of:
- Developing TMJ disorders, due to changes in your bite relationship
- Suffering from worn down or chipped enamel, because your teeth are not chewing together efficiently
- Periodontal disease, due to bacterial plaque lodging in areas that are harder to clean
THE BEST WAY TO AVOID PROBLEMS CAUSED BY MISSING TEETH
If you’ve recently lost a tooth or plan to have one extracted, replacing it as soon as possible is the best way to avoid common complications. A skilled North York dentist can restore your smile with dental implants, one of the best options since they mimic the function of a natural tooth without adjusting or altering neighbouring teeth. Plus, they’re easy to care for on a routine basis.
Are you considering dental implants? Call Empress Walk Dental today!
