Missing a Back Tooth? Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Replace It

It’s estimated that over 170 million Americans struggle with tooth loss, with this figure expected to grow! That said, missing teeth is an alarmingly widespread problem that’s often accompanied by some serious oral health consequences. But what about missing molars? Are lost back teeth as problematic as lost front teeth? Here’s why your dentist thinks that you shouldn’t hesitate to replace a missing molar, and why a dental implant is the go-to option for doing so.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Replace Missing Back Teeth

To put it simply, your back teeth are just as important as your front teeth—after all, you wouldn’t be able to chew your food without them! That said, most people treat missing front teeth with much more urgency than lost back ones. But failing to replace missing molars can lead to some pretty severe oral health consequences including:

• Difficulty chewing food, which negatively impacts your diet and overall nutrition.
• Bite misalignment resulting from adjacent teeth shifting towards the spaces left by missing teeth.
• Deterioration of adjacent teeth, which can ultimately lead to additional tooth loss.
• Bone resorption that leads to facial collapse.
• TMJ disorders resulting from strain on the temporomandibular joints and nearby muscles.

Why Dental Implants Are the Best Solution

Dental implants are able to fully restore lost teeth in terms of look, feel, and functionality. They come with several priceless benefits including:

• Full root-to-crown tooth replacement – Unlike dentures or bridges, which only replace the upper portion of your teeth, dental implants replace the entire tooth structure from the roots to the crown.
• Natural-looking – Dental implants are custom-made for your smile, meaning that they’ll appear and feel exactly like your natural teeth! The upper portion is made from a realistic-looking porcelain crown that looks much better than other restorative solutions.
• Impressively durable and lasting – The posts of implants are made from biocompatible and durable materials, meaning that your implants will actually fuse with your jawbone for a lifelong bond. This is why implants are able to last so long with proper care.
• Easy to maintain – On that note, caring for dental implants is relatively straightforward; you simply need to brush and floss them as you would your natural teeth! Cleaning them daily while avoiding poor oral habits is the secret to their longevity.

Just because your missing back tooth isn’t easily noticeable doesn’t mean that you should wait to get it replaced! Don’t hesitate to speak with your dentist about replacing your lost molar with a dental implant so that you can move forward with a happy, healthy, and complete smile.

About the Practice

The team at Advanced Dental Care of Springfield is thrilled to serve patients and families in the Springfield, IL area under the leadership of four skilled specialists: Dr. Matt VanderMolen, Dr. Victoria Driskill, Dr. Kevin Schlee, Dr. John Neely. Their practice is proud to offer several services including restorative options like dental implants. If you have any questions about dental implants or would like to arrange a visit, feel free to contact the practice online or over the phone for assistance: (217) 546-3333.