Missing Teeth, More than Cosmetic – When to See an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
in Scottsdale, AZ – Our Board-Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Expert Can Restore Your Confidence, Comfort, and Health
What Happens When You Lose a Tooth
Missing teeth can impact much more than just your smile. They can make it harder to eat, speak clearly, or feel confident in everyday situations. Whether caused by injury, decay, or gum disease, a gap in your smile is more than a cosmetic issue—it’s a health concern that deserves professional attention.
There are several types of tooth loss:
- Single tooth loss (from trauma or decay)
- Multiple missing teeth (often caused by advanced gum disease (periodontitis) or long-term dental neglect)
- Complete tooth loss (where all teeth are missing in one or both jaws)
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Potential Consequences of Tooth and Jawbone Loss:
- Problems with remaining teeth, including misalignment, drifting, loosening, and loss
- Collapsed facial profile
- Limited lip support
- Skin wrinkling around the mouth
- Distortion of other facial features
- Jaw (temporomandibular joint / TMJ) pain, facial pain, and headaches
- Difficulty speaking and communicating
- Inadequate nutrition as a result of the inability to chew properly and painlessly
- Sinus expansion
At The Pogue Center, our team offers trusted, long-lasting solutions to replace missing teeth and restore your quality of life.
Is Treatment for Missing Teeth Right for You?
If you're living with one or more missing teeth, you may be a strong candidate for treatment. Ideal candidates:
- Want a permanent, natural-looking solution
- Are in good general health
- Have healthy gums or are willing to treat gum disease first
- Are tired of loose dentures or gaps in their smile
- Want to eat and speak normally again
Not sure if you qualify? A consultation with our oral and maxillofacial surgery specialist can help determine the best path forward—often even for patients who’ve been told they’re not candidates elsewhere.
Restore Your Smile With Expert Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Care
There’s no need to live with discomfort, embarrassment, or limitations caused by missing teeth. Let our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgery team help you reclaim your smile and health with care that’s safe, comfortable, and life-changing.
Click here to schedule your personalized consultation in Scottsdale, AZ with a trusted oral and maxillofacial surgery expert at The Pogue Center.
Symptoms That May Require Treatment for Missing Teeth:
- Visible gaps in your smile where one or more teeth are missing
- Difficulty chewing or avoiding certain foods due to missing teeth
- Shifting or drifting teeth near the gap
- Speech changes, such as slurring or difficulty pronouncing certain words
- Jaw pain or bite problems caused by an uneven bite
- Sunken facial appearance or premature aging around the mouth
- Loose or uncomfortable dentures
- Bone loss in the jaw (often seen on X-rays)
- Gum irritation or soreness in areas with missing teeth
- Food trapping in gaps, leading to bad breath or infection
- Feeling self-conscious or avoiding smiling due to missing teeth
- TMJ symptoms, like jaw clicking or headaches, from a bite imbalance
- Overuse of remaining teeth, leading to wear, cracks, or sensitivity
- Changes in alignment or difficulty closing your mouth properly
- Inability to get full nutrition due to chewing limitations
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be time to explore expert tooth replacement with a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Ready to take the next step? Click here to schedule your consultation with The Pogue Center in Scottsdale, AZ.
Conditions That May Require Treatment for Missing Teeth:
- Tooth loss due to trauma (accidents, sports injuries, or falls)
- Advanced tooth decay that results in non-restorable teeth
- Gum disease (periodontitis) leading to loose or lost teeth
- Congenitally missing teeth (born without certain permanent teeth)
- Failed root canals or dental restorations requiring extraction
- Severe tooth wear from grinding (bruxism) or acid erosion
- Tooth extraction due to infection, fracture, or crowding
- Partial or complete edentulism (missing all or most teeth in one or both arches)
- Bone loss in the jaw (requiring bone grafting prior to implant placement)
- Tooth resorption (where the body breaks down and absorbs the tooth structure)
- Impacted or non-erupting teeth that require surgical removal
- Oral cancer treatment resulting in tooth or jawbone loss
- Poor-fitting dentures that no longer provide proper support
- Failed dental bridges or implants requiring revision or replacement
- Facial or jaw deformities related to missing teeth or bone loss
Click here to schedule your consultation at The Pogue Center in Scottsdale, AZ.