1567 N Aurora Rd Ste 135, Naperville, IL 60563-0727

Why Ignoring a Missing Tooth Could Be Bad News For Your Jaw

A missing tooth not only affects your appearance; it can also have a negative impact on your jaw and your health. Your teeth are an integral part of your jaw. Although you might not think that one tooth would make much of a difference, that missing tooth can cause several problems. Luckily, your Naperville dentist, Dr. Pirooz Zomorrodi, can help you avoid these issues by placing an implant in your Missing Teethjaw that acts as a replacement tooth. Without the implant, you may experience the following problems.

Your bite changes
 

The loss of even one tooth can affect your bite, which is the way your teeth come together when you chew. The teeth around the opening may shift and start to drift into the opening after you lose a tooth, changing your bite.

After tooth removal, the opposing tooth in your upper or lower jaw no longer makes contact with another tooth when you chew. That tooth may then start to shift, which can cause alignment problems in your bite. If bite problems are severe, you might develop temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), a painful condition that affects the joints and muscles of your jaw.
 

Jaw muscles become tense
 

A missing tooth can cause instability in your bite. When this happens, it's more difficult for your jaw muscles to control your bite when you chew. As the muscles struggle to compensate for the missed tooth, they may become tense, which can cause headaches. A trip to your Naperville dentist can begin the process of replacing your tooth and correct bite problems. During the first step of the dental implant process, titanium posts are placed in your jaw. These posts will later hold an enamel crown that looks just like a natural tooth.
 

Bone loss occurs
 

The section of bone that held your tooth in place will begin to shrink after your tooth is removed. As your jawbone shrinks, your facial appearance may change, particularly if you've lost more than one tooth. Because a tooth implant fuses to the surrounding bone, it helps prevent bone loss in your jaw.
 

Interested in implant dentistry in Naperville? Dr. Pirooz Zomorrodi can help you evaluate your options. Call today to learn how dental implants can restore your smile and protect your jaw.

Advance Family Dental Care

Monday
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tuesday
9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Wednesday
9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Thursday
10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Friday
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday
Closed