Have you ever wondered: “It’s a missing tooth; how bad can that be?” It doesn’t hurt like a toothache. When you brush, eat, speak or laugh, it doesn’t bother you. It’s just a space, right?

As our dentist, Dr. Brad Bagwell begins the answer by saying that it is a space, and therein lies the problem. A problem that has the potential to create issues far more severe than a single minor or major cavity. Teeth rely on horizontal, vertical and diagonal tension, called “occlusal forces”, to counterbalance one another and prevent unhealthy shifting.

Imagine a house of cards, where a single card removed from its position could weaken the surrounding cards – and eventually, the entire structure. While the structural integrity of the human mouth is nowhere near as frail, removing one tooth can affect much of the surrounding anatomy.

As a complete system, teeth, gums, bones, joints and muscles and represent a complex, interconnected physical framework. When excessive decay, sudden trauma, crowding or an extraction results in a lost tooth, just one element of that system can affect the entire system, creating adverse consequences.

If left untreated, the teeth shift, influencing the bite. Without appropriate correction, a misaligned bite can produce TMJ issues. TMJ affects jaw muscles and joints, grinding and wearing down teeth and causing bite pressure to drop. In other words, by impairing function, a single missing tooth can significantly alter a lifestyle.

The best possible solution for a missing tooth may be a dental implant. In ‘Dental Implants – How They Work For You, Part 2′ we will discuss:

What are dental implants?

What are the long term benefits?

How Dr. Bagwell uses the latest technology to ensure patients enjoy lasting benefits.

If you need to replace a missing tooth in a way that is beautiful, functional and durable, consider a complimentary consultation with Dr. Brad Bagwell and his expert Cocoa Beach dental team. To contact Smiles Dental Design, call (312) 252-4678.