Your back teeth are some of the most common teeth that you might lose as a result of oral decay. It's easy to get food and bacteria wedged in-between, causing cavities to develop that aren't visible. If you lose one of your back teeth, you might wonder if you should simply rely on your other back teeth. You are not alone, with 70% of Americans missing at least one tooth. However, besides aesthetics, there are many other negative effects of losing a back tooth and not having it replaced with a dental implant.

Bone Stimulation Is Necessary

Unfortunately, the alveolar, which is the ridge of bone that holds the teeth sockets, needs stimulation in the form of a small amount of stress applied by the back teeth. A lack of this stress can lead to gradual bone loss. Depending on the severity of the bone loss, you may lose your ability to chew and speak. Also, the loss of the alveolar bone can change the shape of your face.

A Missing Molar Affects Your Entire Bite

Losing a back tooth also affects your overall bite. This can negatively impact your ability to chew properly. Not having a back tooth leads to much of the pressure being redistributed to the front teeth. Your nearby teeth can migrate due to not having the molars to oppose them. Since the teeth shift at an accelerating rate, they create a level of displacement that makes the teeth useless. Fortunately, a new dental implant can contribute to the sturdiness of the bite.

Losing A Molar Can Lead To Other Teeth Being Lost

The other teeth can also wear down more quickly. Therefore, the loss of a single tooth leads to a chain-reaction in which you are more likely to lose your other teeth. 

Dental Implants Prevent These Problems

Fortunately, dental implants can stimulate the aveolar bone in the same way as a tooth. The sooner you get a dental implant, the better. As your jawbone deteriorates, it will become more difficult to insert a dental implant. Your dentist might need to use a bone graft to rebuild your jawbone so there will be enough bone to embed the implant.

Another alternative to the bone graft is to provide support for your teeth using a non-removable bridge. The downside is that your adjacent teeth need to be shaved down to make room for the bridge. Therefore, it is best to use non-removable bridges only as a last resort and to first investigate whether your dentist can somehow embed a dental implant into your jaw. For more information, visit resources like http://adazzlingsmile.com/.