Teeth are a living body part.  We don’t often think of them that way, but its true.  Blood flows in and out of the root and the enamel can even regenerate when the damage is only slight.  While the world has historically seen teeth as ‘disposable’ they are really a part of a whole system.  Removing a single tooth can be traumatic to the patient emotionally, after all it is a body part.  The impact continues in the downfall of the masticatory and digestive systems thereby affecting the immune system.

On occasion, removing a tooth may be necessary due to infection and disease.  But failing to replace it can have consequences.   The masticatory system is the biting and eating process.  When one tooth is missing, the adjacent teeth will slip into the space.  The opposing teeth (on the opposite arch) will erupt out of the socket until they hit something (which used to be the tooth that is no longer there).  This decreases or even eliminates the ability to chew in that space causing undo forces on the remaining functioning teeth and the supporting muscle and bone.

When food isn’t chewed properly, the digestive system cannot process the nutrients needed to maintain health and the immune system.  Collapse begins.

It is important to understand the consequences of tooth extraction as well as the benefits of tooth replacement.  Implants, bridges and removable options are available.  Discuss your options with your restorative bridge dentistry specialist.