Over 175 million people in the United States are missing at least one tooth and may assume that tooth loss is harmless. But a single gap can trigger a domino effect of changes throughout your mouth, affecting comfort, function, and long-term oral health.
At the practice of Robert F. Wilcox, DMD, PC, our team restores missing teeth with a goal of protecting how well your teeth work together, keeping your jaw strong, and ensuring you feel confident in your smile.
Your teeth rely on each other for balance and stability. When one is lost, nearby teeth naturally begin drifting into the open space. Over time, this movement can disrupt your bite and place uneven pressure on surrounding teeth.
As alignment shifts, you may notice faster tooth wear, jaw discomfort, headaches, or difficulty chewing evenly. Those newly created gaps also make it easier for plaque and bacteria to settle, raising the risk of dental decay and gum disease. What starts as one missing tooth can increase the chances of losing more.
The function of your teeth goes beyond chewing. That’s because tooth roots actively stimulate the jawbone. Each time you bite down, pressure signals the bone to stay dense and strong. When a tooth root is no longer present, that stimulation stops.
Without replacement, the jawbone in that area begins to shrink. This bone loss can change facial structure over time, leading to a sunken appearance around the mouth or lips. It can also make future dental treatments more complex, limiting replacement options if too much bone is lost.
Missing teeth often change how you eat and speak, even if the gap isn’t immediately noticeable. Many people subconsciously avoid chewing on one side, which can strain the jaw and reduce overall chewing efficiency.
Speech may also be affected, especially when front or side teeth are missing. Certain sounds rely on precise tooth placement, and small changes can lead to slurring or whistling that people find frustrating or embarrassing.
Replacing missing teeth helps preserve the natural structure of your mouth. Treatments such as dental implants, bridges, and crowns not only fill the space, but they also restore balance.
Dental implants, in particular, replace the tooth root, helping maintain jawbone density and providing a stable foundation for chewing.
In fact, a retrospective multicenter study published in 2025 involving patients treated from 2019 to 2023 and followed for close to four years on average, found excellent results for dental implants placed in everyday private clinic settings.
Bridges and crowns restore function and prevent nearby teeth from shifting, protecting your bite and long-term comfort.
At our office, treatment recommendations are created to meet your individual needs and oral health goals. Our goal is to deliver the most appropriate solution to restore your smile and keep it healthy.
The longer missing teeth go untreated, the more your mouth adapts in ways that are harder to reverse.
If you’re living with a gap, whether it’s new or something you’ve had for years, now is the right time to address it.
Contact us to schedule an appointment with us at the practice of Robert F. Wilcox, DMD, PC in Butte, Montana, and rest assured that you’re taking a step toward protecting your oral health.
