With proper care, your adult teeth can last a lifetime. However, it sometimes becomes necessary to remove a tooth. Common reasons include tooth decay, trauma, and gum disease. Although you would probably waste no time replacing a missing front tooth, there are also several reasons for replacing a missing back tooth. Find out what can you do about missing back teeth here.
To learn more about how we can help you with missing back teeth, schedule an appointment at Trident Dental for a comprehensive oral evaluation.
How Many Back Teeth Do You Have?
The typical adult dentition has thirty-two teeth. Twelve of these are front teeth, and twenty are back teeth. On each side of your upper and lower jaws, you have two bicuspids, also known as premolars. Behind these, you have three molars. Most people have their third molars (wisdom teeth) removed in their teens or early twenties.
The Importance of Back Teeth
The front four upper and lower teeth are called incisors. These teeth have an essential function in your smile, but they are also critical to taking bites of food. Behind your incisors are canines or cuspids. Their sharp edges help tear food before you chew a bite on your back teeth. All your back teeth function to chew and grind food before swallowing. Adequate chewing is important because it:
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Makes swallowing easier.
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Breaks food into smaller pieces for complete digestion by gastric juices.
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Allows absorption of more nutrients from the food you eat.
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Increases the production of EGF, which nourishes your intestinal lining.
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Reduces your calorie consumption by leaving you satiated with smaller amounts of food.
The Importance of Replacing Back Teeth
Some patients think that replacing back teeth isn’t as important as replacing front teeth. While it is true that you can lose a back tooth without it affecting your smile, there are several important reasons to replace missing back teeth, such as:
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To prevent your teeth from moving. Each tooth is held in place by contact with adjacent and opposing teeth. These teeth can quickly shift into a space created after a tooth extraction.
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To enhance your oral health. One missing back tooth can cause a domino effect that can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and loss of additional teeth.
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To improve your nutrition. According to the CDC, “poor nutrition is making our nation sick.” Missing back teeth can prevent you from consuming a balanced diet consisting of various vitamins and minerals. The CDC states that poor nutrition results in diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
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To prevent facial sagging. Your teeth and their supporting bone helps support your facial muscles. When you lose this support due to missing back teeth, it can cause sagging and changes in the shape of your face.
The Options for Replacing Back Teeth
You may have several options to replace missing back teeth. These include:
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Dental implant and crown.
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Traditional fixed dental bridge.
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Implant-supported bridge.
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Partial denture.
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Dentures.
Schedule Appointment
Contact us at Trident Dental and discover your options for replacing missing back teeth and regaining your bright and healthy smile.