1. Why Missing Teeth Must Be
Replaced
By The Smile Center San Antonio

2. Introduction

Consisting of six dental practices in San
Antonio, The Smile Center serves patients of
all ages. Numerous San Antonio residents
have experienced the skilled and
compassionate care of The Smile Center’s
dentists when facing major dental issues
such as the loss of permanent teeth.
Tooth loss can occur for a wide range of
reasons, including extreme tooth
decay, advanced periodontal disease, and
traumatic injuries to the mouth. In addition to
altering a person’s cosmetic
appearance, losing teeth can cause serious
oral health issues.

3. About Missing Teeth

When a gap is created, the
surrounding teeth will drift into the
empty space, making the teeth
crooked. This shift in the teeth also
alters the bite, which not only makes
eating more difficult but also causes
some teeth to bear more of the forces
of chewing than others. This can lead
to tooth damage, jaw pain, and tooth
grinding. Bone deterioration also can
occur in the jaw at the site of tooth
loss.

4. Conclusion

To fill the gaps left by missing
teeth, dentists recommend dental
bridges, dentures, or dental implants.
All of these tooth replacement
methods can stop tooth drifting and
the domino effect of oral health issues
that it causes. Dental implants in
particular can help prevent the bone
resorption in the jaw that often gives
patients who have experienced tooth
loss an aged appearance.