You may be tempted to avoid replacing a missing tooth, especially if it is a molar that is not easy to see. This is unwise. Every tooth in your mouth has a job to do, including helping you bite, chew, speak, and maintain the shape of your face by stimulating and supporting the jawbone. If you don’t fill in the hole in your smile caused by a missing tooth or teeth, you are setting yourself up for a host of oral health problems, including:

• Shifting teeth
• Tissue damage
• Misalignment
• Gaps
• Compromised speech
• Trouble eating

Above all, when you are missing a tooth, you will be self-conscious about your incomplete smile and your confidence can suffer because of it. Your teeth and smile are powerful parts of your appearance – you want them to be strong, healthy, and complete so you can feel like the best version of yourself.