Tooth Loss
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| • | Gaps: A missing tooth is an open space or gap in your teeth lineup. Sometimes a patient may comment that open space could be beneficial due to overcrowding, but the reality is that open spaces allow for uncontrolled movement of neighboring teeth. |
| • | Shifting: Open space leaves room for neighboring teeth to shift. They will move in an uncontrolled manner, which is different than when they are moved using an orthodontic device. This can cause negative changes in your bite and your jaw joint. |
| • | Jaw Changes: Your jaw joint opens and closes our mouth hundreds of times a day, whether we are eating, speaking, or even breathing. Changes to the joint can result in dysfunction in how it works, or cause pain in our facial region including the brow, ear, or result in migraines. |
| • | Dietary Changes: When a tooth is lost, the person often makes changes to their diet to accommodate. This may include eliminating certain foods from their diet, such as meat or nuts. It may also include changes to how they chew their food, often favoring one side of the mouth instead of chewing evenly. These changes can be disruptive to our overall health or our oral health. |
| • | Facial Changes: The loss of teeth will result in changes in our supporting bone. When a tooth is lost, the jaw bone that once supported the tooth will suffer both immediate and continued long term atrophy or sorption. The result is decreased bone mass. The loss of multiple teeth can cause a noticeable change in your physical appearance. |
| • | Self Esteem Changes: Missing teeth is not only bad for your health, but it can also cause problems in your emotional health. Whether you are concerned about the appearance of your teeth, or worry about what foods you can eat, or if changes occurred to your speech, there can be emotional repercussions. |
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002-1252 Tues: 8am - 3pm Wed: Closed Thurs: 9am - 6pm Fri: 9am - 5pm Sat: By Appointment Only Sun: Closed |
