What If You Don't Replace a Lost Tooth?

Sarah's Story: The Missing Molar

Sarah lost her back molar in a skiing accident two years ago. "It's just one tooth," she thought. "And it's in the back – nobody can see it anyway." She postponed the dental visit, then postponed it again. Life got busy, and the missing tooth became her new normal.

But here's what Sarah didn't see coming...

The Domino Effect: What Really Happens

Month 3: The Shift Begins

Sarah noticed her other teeth starting to feel different when she chewed. Her dentist later explained this was her teeth beginning to shift into the empty space – like books on a shelf sliding over when you remove one.

Month 8: The Bite Changes

Her bite felt "off." Foods she used to enjoy became uncomfortable to eat. The teeth on the opposite side began hitting differently, causing occasional jaw soreness.

Year 1: The Hidden Bone Loss

What Sarah couldn't feel was happening beneath her gums. Without a tooth root to stimulate it, her jawbone began to deteriorate – losing up to 25% of its width in the first year alone.

Year 2: The Cascade Effect

• Her adjacent teeth loosened as they tilted into the gap
• Her face began showing subtle changes from bone loss
• Chewing became increasingly difficult
• Her remaining teeth worked overtime, leading to premature wear

The Hidden Costs of Waiting

Sarah's "simple" missing tooth eventually required:

• Treatment for two loose adjacent teeth
• Bone grafting before implant placement
• Extended healing time and multiple visits
• Total cost: 3x more than immediate replacement

What Happens When You Don't Replace a Missing Tooth

• Bone Loss: Your jawbone shrinks without tooth root stimulation
• Teeth Shifting: Adjacent teeth tilt and move into the empty space
• Bite Problems: Uneven pressure leads to jaw pain and TMJ issues
• Facial Changes: Loss of bone support affects your facial structure
• Digestive Issues: Difficulty chewing properly affects nutrition
• Speech Changes: Missing teeth can affect pronunciation

The Solution: Dental Implants

When Sarah finally got her dental implant, she wished she'd acted sooner. "I got my confidence back," she says. "I can eat anything again, and I stopped worrying about my other teeth."

The implant process was simpler than she expected:

• Consultation: Digital planning and 3D imaging
• Placement: Minimally invasive procedure
• Healing: 3-6 months for integration
• Crown: Custom-made to match perfectly

Why Choose WISDOM Complete Dental Care for Your Implant?

• Advanced 3D imaging for precise implant placement
• 98% success rate with our implant procedures
• Same-day consultations and treatment planning
• Comfortable, minimally invasive techniques
• Complete implant solutions from placement to crown
• Flexible payment plans available

Don't Wait – Your Smile Can't

Every day you wait, your situation becomes more complex and expensive. But there's good news – early intervention makes everything easier. Modern dental implants offer a 98% success rate, lifelong solution with proper care, and can often provide immediate function.