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 William J. Stewart Jr. DDS in San Antonio.
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 recede.
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, please call us at William J. Stewart Jr. DDS in San Antonio. People from Shavano Park, Leon Springs, and Beorne also come to our office for general and family dentistry. Schedule an appointment today!
Contact William J. Stewart Jr. DDS Advanced Family & Cosmetic Dentistry:
210-493-3040
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
13220 Huebner Rd
San Antonio, Texas
78230
