In the case of younger children, teeth are often missing when the primary teeth have fallen out and the permanent teeth have not grown in yet. This can, in turn, cause the patient to suffer from chronic headaches. This can lead to chronic facial pain and cause stress on the jaw joint leading to inflammation of the TemporoMandibular Joint (TMJ). When the remaining teeth no longer have an opposite to rest upon or bite against, they may start to overerupt and damage the opposing gums. You may notice that you have difficulty pronouncing certain sounds, or have a whistle that echoes with your speech. A lack of certain teeth also can cause changes in speech. Without teeth being in place to support the facial structure, you might experience sunken cheeks or wrinkling around the mouth. Many people with missing teeth will elect to eat only soft foods or drink liquid meals, which might not provide adequate nutrition.Įven if you aren’t worried about the cosmetics of your smile, missing teeth can actually distort the appearance of your face. You also might experience difficulty biting and chewing if the teeth aren’t aligned properly. This can destabilize the moving teeth, loosening them and possibly leading to further loss. If no placeholder exists between the site of the missing tooth and the surrounding teeth, it won’t be long before the teeth begin to shift to attempt to fill the gap. If teeth are lost from the back upper jaw, the sinus cavity above will start to expand and further erode the jaw bone. When a tooth is missing, that part of the jaw no longer receives the stimulation it needs to maintain bone density. The more you exercise, the stronger your muscles will become, but stop all activity and the muscles quickly begin to shrink. It’s much the same concept as building and maintaining muscle mass. The strength of the jawbone is maintained through the force it exerts while biting and chewing. When teeth are missing, jaw bone atrophy can occur around the site of the gap.
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However, a number of health problems can occur as a result of missing teeth, whether hidden in the back or right up front in your smile. Problems Missing Teeth Can Causeįor missing teeth that are visible in the smile, many patients might seek to replace them for aesthetic reasons. It would not be worth your while to spend years in braces only to lose teeth later. If you are wearing braces and are seeing an orthodontist regularly, it does not excuse visiting your dentist for routine cleanings.
#Gapped teeth before and after braces professional
It also is important to see a dental professional at least twice a year (higher risk patients may require more visits) to have the teeth professionally cleaned. You can prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease by diligently following the instructions your dentist and orthodontist give you for caring for your teeth, especially as you age. Untreated, the inflammation can lead to periodontitis, which is an actual infection of the gums that leads to tooth loss. It is important to treat gingivitis as soon as it begins. Gingivitis, or gum inflammation, is a sign that something is wrong. Gum disease, tooth decay and injury are the most common causes for non-hereditary tooth loss. This is the result of an inheritable genetic trait in most cases, although rarely it can also indicate a genetic disorder. You might be surprised to learn that up to 20% of adults will have one or more congenitally missing teeth, often the second molars and upper lateral incisors.
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In fact, braces can be a great option for people missing a tooth, as they can close or widen gaps to leave the perfect amount of space for a replacement. The good news is that the answer is most likely yes.
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You may have wondered whether you can get braces if you have one or more missing teeth.