What happens if you have a tooth pulled and don t replace it

When it comes to tooth loss, many people are most concerned with the impact it would have on the appearance of their smile. However, tooth loss is more than a cosmetic issue. Losing one or more teeth has wide-ranging effects on your overall oral health; and if you wait too long to replace missing teeth, this can only makes these problems worse. Here are three risks of not replacing missing teeth.

1. Greater Chance of Infection
Gum disease is one of the most common causes of tooth loss because it causes gum tissue to deteriorate. Unfortunately, after losing a tooth the chances of gum disease and bacterial infections may actually increase. Several factors can cause bacterial activity to increase after losing a tooth, which leads to further gum deterioration and potential tooth loss.

For example, an empty dental socket is an easy place for food particles and bacteria to collect inside the mouth. Once bacteria and plaque are in the dental socket, normal brushing may not reach those areas easily. Additionally, losing a tooth leaves the sides and roots of adjacent teeth more exposed, and bacteria can attack them.

An empty dental socket also creates a possible entry point for bacteria to access the bloodstream. Bacteria can enter the blood through exposed blood vessels in the bottom of the socket. Oral bacteria can create health risks in other parts of the body, which can make you more susceptible to heart and lung disease as well as inflammation of the heart valves.

2. Misalignment of Other Teeth
Your teeth constantly exert pressure on the teeth on either side of them. In this way, all of the teeth in your mouth depend on support from the adjacent teeth to remain in place in the soft gum tissue. When one or more teeth are missing, it can cause the teeth on either side of the gap to drift inward where the missing tooth used to be.

Waiting too long to replace a missing tooth can eventually cause adjacent teeth to drift enough that problems such as crowding occur. Teeth growing into the gap of a missing tooth can make contact, which can cause uncomfortable pressure and create tight spaces between the teeth and gums. This only serves to make brushing more difficult and promote bacterial growth.

3. Gum and Jawbone Deterioration
The gums and jawbones play an essential role in anchoring the roots of the teeth in place. However, you may not be aware that your teeth are important for the health of your gums and jawbones as well. The presence of tooth roots in these tissues stimulates them, which causes the body to continually repair damaged cells.

Without stimulation, the body could gradually reabsorb parts of the gums and jawbones. Not only does this greatly accelerate the process of tooth loss, but it can also change the structure of the face. Loss of the upper jawbone creates an inward curve in the face that is often referred to as facial collapse. Deterioration of the lower jawbone will cause the chin to recede and diminish the jawline.

Prosthetics such as dentures that rest on top of the gums can counteract some gum tissue loss caused by a missing tooth. Unfortunately, they don't do much to stimulate the jawbone. Instead, tooth replacement options like dental implants or implant-supported bridges are recommended. Because implants fuse directly with the jawbone, they provide long-term protection against bone deterioration.

Replacing a missing tooth as soon as possible is the best way to minimize the effect of tooth loss on your oral health. If you are searching for tooth replacement options, visit Vanyo Dentistry so we can find the best solution for you.

Although no patient ever likes to think about having a tooth taken out, accidents do happen, and teeth sometimes need to be unexpectedly taken out. But don’t worry, whether your tooth became unsavable due to an accident or just neglect, your dentist shouldn’t suggest the horrendous extraction procedure before exhausting all other options with you. Just know that if a tooth does need to be extracted, there is a light at the end of the tunnel – you won’t have to live with a gap in your mouth forever unless you want to.

Replacing teeth after they are extracted is almost always highly recommended. This way, nearby teeth won’t move into the open space and create gaps elsewhere and opposing teeth won’t continue to move up or down into the empty space. If you replace the tooth with an implant, it will also prevent the surrounding jawbone from shrinking in width, which begins to occur immediately after a tooth is taken out. Finally, and maybe most importantly, you won’t have a gap between your teeth when you smile.

Knowing all of your options to replace missing teeth ahead of time also allows you to plan accordingly. It may even be possible to have a replacement on the same day the tooth is taken out. There are many ways to replace a missing tooth, but the four main options are: implants, bridges, dentures, or braces. In this post, we will focus on the first three since they are the best options for most people.

Option #1: Removable Partial Dentures

Removable partial dentures (RPDs) can serve as a either a permanent or a temporary replacement solution for extracted teeth. Depending on whether they are intended to be permanent or temporary, RPDs may be made of a metal substructure covered in pink acrylic, or simply a flexible plastic. Permanent RPDs have thick metal clasps that grab onto healthy teeth and use those remaining teeth as their support. They can be worn throughout the day and while eating. Temporary RPDs, on the other hand, are commonly called “flippers” because they sit only on your gums and can be easily flipped out with your tongue. They might occasionally have thin metal wires grabbing onto remaining teeth to help hold them in place, but they are not nearly as secure in the mouth as permanent ones, making them unsuitable for chewing. They are primarily used for esthetics and to help preserve the space between teeth while waiting for a more permanent option.

So, what are the pros and cons of RPDs as a permanent tooth replacement? Well, there is really only one benefit in that they are the most economical option, especially when replacing multiple teeth. The cons are that they are difficult to adjust to, they catch food underneath them, and it’s a hassle to take them in and out every night to clean. Nonetheless, they are still a decent long-term option. Some patients have been known to have RPDs for more than 30 years!

Related post: Can You Restore A Missing Teeth With Full and Partial Dentures? 

Option #2: Fixed Bridges

Moving away from removable options, a fixed bridge is another way to permanently replace a missing tooth without having to deal with taking something in and out. A bridge consists of multiple crowns attached to one another as one unit. The last two crowns on each end are always held up by natural teeth, hence “a bridge.” The remaining teeth on each side of the gap are the support for the crown that sits over the extraction site.

Fixed bridges usually end up having better esthetics than RPDs, and since they are permanently cemented onto your teeth, they feel like a natural part of your mouth. However, since it is all one unit, you cannot floss between the crowns and have to floss underneath the fake tooth instead. Many patients often neglect this basic hygiene practice leading to gum inflammation and bone loss under the fake tooth, which eventually, leads to decay on the teeth holding the bridge up. So while bridges are a great option to replace missing teeth, proper oral hygiene cannot be overlooked.

Option #3: Dental Implants

Dental implants are often the best option to replace missing teeth because they help maintain the width of the jawbone almost as well as a natural tooth. They also reproduce the feel of a natural tooth better than the other options. Implants are placed by inserting a titanium or zirconium post into the jawbone in the space left by the extracted tooth. After several months, the implant integrates with the surrounding jawbone and becomes part of your mouth. At this point, your dentist will have a crown made that screws into the post, and you will essentially have a new tooth you can chew with.

Today, implants are usually the most recommended restoration, but they are also the most expensive due to the extensive skills and training needed to do them well. The prices can also vary depending on whether the jawbone needs to be grafted prior to placing the implant, and on the quality of the materials used. Further, the length of the treatment plan can be a downside for many patients since it usually takes about six months until the restoration is complete. However, implants do provide unparalleled support to the jaw without putting stress on other teeth in the mouth, which is why they are the permanent solution that many patients prefer.

Related post: Why Does the Cost of Dental Implants Frequently Vary? 

Rebuild Your Smile With Confidence

Ultimately, the right replacement choice for you will depend on many factors unique to your situation. Although implants are the most modern and supportive solution, every individual is different, and the best choice for you may be another type of dental appliance.

Find the assistance and guidance that you're looking for when you contact our office today. With a modern and well-equipped office, years of experience, and a compassionate approach to patient care, Dr. Nargiz Zadeh can assist you in exploring the right tooth-replacement choice for your needs. Get in touch today to explore your options or arrange a consultation.

Testimonial from Jessica, Satisfied Patient

Very pleased with the service. I am scared of the dentist so I was very nervous going in for my fillings but Dr. Zadeh and her staff were amazing. She was very gentle and I didn’t feel a thing and she made sure I was comfortable during the whole thing. Her staff is also very kind and knowledgeable. I’ve recommended my stepdad to her and he also finds her to be great. Highly recommend if looking for general dentist.

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