One of the more common events that could occur if a missing tooth is not replaced is drifting or movement of the adjacent and / or opposing teeth. Adjacent teeth move into the space of the missing tooth and the opposing teeth could move upwards or downwards to the space of the missing tooth. This could potentially affect one’s chewing function and the overall occlusal balance which can potentially damage the jaw joints and possibly cause headaches and migraines. Also, when a tooth is not replaced, the underlying bone could shrink in height and width which could limit replacement options in the future.
One of the most common cases is the movement of adjacent or opposite teeth. The next tooth or the mating tooth may move up and down and get into the missing tooth. It affects the ability to chew and the placement of teeth, which can hurt the jaw joints and can lead to headaches/migraines. In addition, the bone thickness and width of the missing part may decrease, which may reduce the options for future treatment methods.
One of the frequent occurrences is that if the missing teeth are not replaced, the teeth on the adjacent and opposite occlusal surfaces will shift. The adjacent teeth will move to the original missing tooth position, and the teeth that are biting will also move to the missing tooth position. These conditions may affect the patient’s chewing ability and overall occlusal harmony, and may also damage the temporomandibular joint, causing headaches and migraines. In addition, if the missing teeth are not replaced in time, the gums may also shrink, limiting the choice of future tooth restoration options