Preventive Edge

The 5 Major Consequences of Not Replacing a Missing Tooth Losing a tooth might seem like a minor inconvenience, but its long-term effects can seriously impact your oral and overall health. If you’re thinking of putting off treatment, here’s what you should know: 1. Bone Loss in the Jaw Without stimulation from a tooth root or implant, your jawbone begins to shrink. This bone loss can change your facial structure and make future implants harder to place. 2. Teeth Shift Out of Alignment Your neighboring teeth start drifting into the gap — leading to crowding, bite problems, and potential jaw pain (TMJ).