Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Why it is Important to Replace a Missing Tooth

When a tooth falls out or is extracted, if it doesn’t bother you, it may be tempting to just leave the open space there. However, replacing that tooth can actually be very important to the health of your other teeth, your gums, and your jaw. Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in the Philadelphia, PA area, we want our patients to understand the importance of tooth replacement.


When a tooth is missing, there are several things that will happen to the area. As soon as the tooth is gone, the jaw bone that used to hold the tooth’s root begins to degenerate. This creates a change in the jaw that makes the other teeth shift towards that opening. When the teeth shift, they create gaps and other awkward spacing that affects your smile. It also creates hard-to-reach areas where debris and bacteria may collect. When there is more than one tooth missing, this can create major changes in the jaw shape, which can also change the facial structure.


An open space can also cause irritation to the gum tissue that is exposed. When chewing, food can irritate the tissue since it is unprotected by a tooth. Built up bacteria and gum irritation, as we know, can lead to decay and gum disease.


We offer dental implants as permanent tooth replacement here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania. Dental implants act just like teeth and can last a lifetime. To learn more, contact one of our Philadelphia, PA area locations or visit our website, www.oralsurgerypa.com

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