If a missing tooth is not replaced, it can lead to movement and changes in the surrounding teeth, including shifting and overgrowth of the tooth opposite the gap.
Consequences of Not Replacing a Missing Tooth
When a tooth is lost, the structure and forces within your mouth change. The teeth next to the gap no longer have the support or contact they once did, and the tooth directly opposite the missing one loses the resistance it previously had during chewing.
Based on the provided information, two key issues can arise:
1. Shifting and Crooked Teeth
One significant consequence is that the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth's space may start to shift. Without the support of the neighboring tooth, they can gradually drift or tilt into the gap. This can cause:
- Teeth becoming crooked: The alignment of your bite can change as teeth move out of their original positions.
- New gaps appearing: As teeth shift, spaces can open up between other teeth in your mouth, not just where the tooth was lost.
2. Super-Eruption of the Opposing Tooth
Another potential issue is known as super-eruption. This occurs when the tooth located on the opposite arch (either above or below) the site of the missing tooth starts to grow out or erupt further from its position.
Why does this happen? As the reference states, this is because the opposing tooth no longer has the opposing tooth to resist it. Normally, the contact and force from the tooth on the other arch keep it stable in its socket. Without this counter-pressure, the opposing tooth can gradually move downwards or upwards, protruding further than the surrounding teeth.
| Dental State | Support from Adjacent Teeth | Resistance from Opposing Tooth | Potential Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tooth Present | Yes | Yes | Stable position |
| Tooth Missing | Reduced | Absent | Adjacent teeth may shift; Opposing tooth may grow |
Leaving a gap can therefore initiate a chain reaction, affecting the positioning and stability of multiple teeth in your mouth.
