[Health Column] What Happens When You Lose a Tooth? Oral Changes That May Occur One Year Later

 

hello, Bupyeong 365 Dental Clinic Chief Director Kim Hyung-seok no see.

There are people who feel that living with a missing tooth is not a major inconvenience at the moment.

It is easy to postpone treatment, especially if it is in a hidden spot.

 

However, teeth are not structures that function separately, A structure where the entire dentition supports each other It consists of.

So, if you leave a missing space unattended for a long time, it is not simply a matter of a single empty space. Interlocking with surrounding teeth and a chain reaction of changes extending to the gum bone It can happen.

 

If you thought, “It’s fine right now, do I really need to rush?”
With today's content Why the neglect period becomes important I hope you will take your time looking through it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why can surrounding teeth tilt if one tooth falls out?

🔸The empty space does not remain as it is and can affect the alignment of surrounding teeth.

 

Teeth naturally maintain an arched arrangement by exchanging forces with adjacent teeth.

However, if a tooth is missing in the middle, the teeth on either side may gradually tilt as the supporting direction becomes empty.

 

 

 

 

When they are displaced from their proper positions like this, gaps form between the teeth, and food gets trapped more easily in those gaps.

As a result, self-cleaning becomes difficult, and the risk of cavities or periodontitis in surrounding teeth may increase.

 

Also, if the balance of the bite is disrupted, excessive force may be applied to specific teeth when chewing.

In severe cases, it can lead to tooth fracture, and even if you try to get an implant later, there is insufficient space. Additional partial corrections may be necessary.

 

 

 

 

📌 In other words, even if it initially looks like a problem with just one tooth, over time Total dental problems You need to keep in mind that this can lead to...

 

 

Can leaving a missing tooth untreated for a long time affect the jaw joint?

🔸If the interlocking teeth are lost, the balance between the upper and lower teeth becomes unstable, which can put a strain on the jaw joint. .

The upper and lower teeth interlock to perform the function of chewing.

However, if the lower tooth remains missing, the upper tooth will have nowhere to make contact and may gradually slide downward.

 

If the position of specific teeth changes in this way, the occlusion becomes misaligned when closing the mouth, and this can affect the temporomandibular joint.

The stiffness or clicking sounds in the jaw that you usually overlook can also originate from this imbalance.

 

If this process is repeated Discomfort such as jaw joint pain or headaches It can lead to.

So rather than simply thinking of it as “a vacant seat opening up,” Overall interlocking change It is important to view it as such.

 

🔸 Even if there is no pain right now, you must also consider that discomfort may increase over time.

 

 

If a missing tooth is left untreated for about a year, does the gum bone change as well?

🔸The gum bone in the area where a tooth is missing may gradually be absorbed. .

 

Tooth roots not only serve to anchor the teeth but also transmit the pressure generated during chewing to the gum bone, helping to maintain the bone.

However, if a tooth is lost, the stimulation in that area decreases, and the gum bone may gradually begin to be absorbed.

 

If left untreated for about a year, changes such as the gum line receding and the width and height of the bone decreasing may occur.

When it reaches this state The difficulty may increase when considering implants later. there is.

 

If there is insufficient gum bone, additional surgery may be required, and the treatment process may become more complex.

Conversely, if measures are taken before bone resorption becomes severe, it is easier to consider restoring the original function.

 

⚠️ Ultimately, the longer you leave a missing tooth unattended, the less simple the problem becomes, and Rather, there is a possibility that the scope of treatment will expand. There is.

 

 

 

 

FAQ

Q1. If I don't feel uncomfortable even if I lose a tooth, is it okay to just live with it?

A1. It explains that even if there is no significant discomfort immediately, over time, surrounding teeth may tilt, the bite may change, and gum bone resorption may progress.

Therefore, it is important to check the condition even if the discomfort is minimal.

Q2. If I leave a missing tooth untreated for a long time, won't getting an implant be the end of it?

A2. Over time, partial correction may be necessary due to insufficient space, or additional surgery may be required depending on the condition of the bone.

In other words, treatment may become more complex than before.

Q3. What is the first thing you should pay attention to after losing a tooth?

A3. The longer it is left untreated, the more likely it is to affect surrounding teeth, the jaw joint, and even the gum bone.

Therefore, rather than blindly postponing it, the priority is to accurately assess the current situation.

 

conclusion

Losing a tooth may not simply mean the creation of a single empty space.

As time passes Tilting of surrounding teeth, changes in occlusion, alveolar bone resorption This is because multiple changes can follow together, like this.

 

In particular, it is important not to overlook the fact that a problem that initially appears small can later lead to more extensive treatment.

This does not mean you must rush to decide on treatment, but Checking the current state first and establishing criteria for judgment It is necessary.

 

📌 Even if the discomfort is not significant, if the period of neglect is prolonged, it may be helpful to have it checked at least once.

✨ Please carefully determine the best direction for your dental condition through a consultation with a medical professional.

 

 

 

Bupyeong 365 Dental Clinic

Chief Director Kim Hyung-seok

Double Board Specialist in Prosthodontics & Integrated Dentistry

 

Obtained Basic Life Support (BLS Provider) certification

Obtained Dental Advanced Life Support (DALS Provider) certification

Completed externship at the U.S. Army 618th Dental Hospital in California, USA

Completed CAD/CAM Master Class

Double sedation completed

Completed Osstem Implant Master Class

Completion of Distal Master Course of Osstem Implant Seminar

Completed Choice Endodontic Seminar

Completion of the TMJ Disorder Education and Research Society Training Course

Winner of the Outstanding Presentation Award at the 79th Annual Meeting of the Korean Academy of Prosthodontics, 2018

Certified by the Korean Academy of Prosthodontics

Lifetime member of the Korean Academy of Prosthodontics

Osstem Implant Research Consultant

Megagen Implant Research Consultant

 

 

 

 

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