Hi, Dr. Anand here from Warragul Dental Care. So, you lost a tooth (or a few) and have heard that you should replace them. But, you are wondering if it’s worth the hassle, especially because nothing hurts and everything feels alright. Let’s talk about what happens if you don’t replace a missing tooth? Well, best-case scenario… Nothing. You might be lucky, and nothing happens at all. But for most people, missing teeth cause big problems over time. You see, one of the most common issues is movement. The teeth on either side of the gap start shifting, which can change your bite and make it harder to replace the tooth later. Then there’s the opposite tooth. If you’re missing a lower tooth, the tooth above it might start growing downwards to fill the space. I’ve seen cases where the top teeth end up biting straight into the lower gum, making it impossible to replace the missing tooth without first fixing all the new problems it caused.
Another issue? Gum problems. If there’s a gap in your mouth, the surrounding teeth can lose stability, making them more likely to loosen over time. And if a lone tooth is left standing without support, it has a higher risk of becoming loose or falling out.
So, long story short, missing teeth can cause a chain reaction of dental problems. If you’ve got a gap and you’re unsure what to do, let’s have a chat about your options, simply call us at 03 5623 5588 or DM us to organise a consultation.
