Sometimes we need to extract teeth for various reasons. However, failing to replace a tooth after extraction and wound healing can lead to significant complications. While wisdom teeth extraction typically doesn't require replacement, it's best to replace other extracted teeth promptly. Let's first explore the risks of leaving a gap unfilled.
When a tooth is missing, the normal biting force that provides physiological stimulation to the alveolar bone is lost. Without this stimulation, the alveolar bone begins to resorb to varying degrees. This not only affects the fit and stability of future dentures but also creates significant challenges in maintaining the balance of the oral and maxillofacial structures.
Prolonged tooth loss triggers a series of changes in adjacent teeth. This alters the original normal bite relationship and reduces the functional surface area of healthy teeth, severely impairing chewing ability.
Healthy teeth are arranged in a tightly packed formation. When a tooth is lost, adjacent teeth may shift toward the empty space, causing the remaining teeth to become widely spaced. This spacing makes food easily lodged between teeth, creating hard-to-clean areas. Over time, this can lead to oral health issues such as bad breath, tooth decay, and periodontal disease.
When front teeth are missing, it not only affects aesthetics but also impairs normal speech, sometimes causing slurred speech.
When the alveolar bone recedes and the mouth and cheeks lack soft tissue support, sunken areas may appear. This is especially noticeable when multiple lower teeth are missing, as the vertical distance in the lower face shortens. This can accelerate facial wrinkling and skin aging.
Therefore, for both oral health and aesthetics, it's crucial to get dentures promptly after tooth extraction. Typically, recovery takes about three months post-extraction. Once the wound has fully healed, consult a professional hospital and an experienced dentist for denture placement. The dentist will determine the specific surgical plan based on your individual circumstances.