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 Ritchie Dental Group in Marble Falls and Brady TX.
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 begin to atrophy.
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 Ritchie Dental Group in Marble Falls and Brady TX. People from Burnet, Kingsland, and Meadowlakes come to us for implants and for comprehensive general and family dentistry services. Schedule an appointment today!
Contact Ritchie Dental Group:
830-693-8833
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
Ritchie Dental Group – Marble Falls
1000 Marble Heights Dr
Marble Falls, TX 78654
Ritchie Dental Group – Brady
2001 Nine Rd
Brady, TX 76825
