Tooth Loss: Cause & Effect

There are many reasons for tooth loss:congential condition, injury, periodontal disease, or decay. A single tooth may be missing, or several teeth or more, including all upper or all lower teeth.

After losing one or more teeth, changes occur in the oral cavity. The adjacent teeth, jaw bone, and jaw joint are all affected by the length of time the site remains without a tooth. Adjacent teeth may be displaced and close around the empty space. This shift causes changes in the distance between the teeth, leading to occlusion issues. Changes to the jaw joint can produce disorders such as facial pain that manifests over time. There may be bone loss around the missing tooth, which leads to aesthetic issues and may restrict future restoration options.

Beyond the aesthetics

Extensive loss of teeth causes significant damage to the aesthetics of the face, the profile, and the jawline. Over time, tooth loss leads to an older appearance as the cheeks, chin, or jaw shrink or sag. Beyond the aesthetics, of course, tooth loss impairs your ability to chew. You may avoid eating certain difficult-to-chew foods such as apples or carrots, which may affect your overall health. Tooth loss can also change speech and pronunciation.