Multiple Missing Teeth

Consequences of Missing Multiple Teeth

It is estimated that 70% of the population in the United States is missing at least one tooth and that people over the age of 60 have lost an average of 9 teeth. There are many reasons that people lose teeth over time including, decay, fracture, failed root canal therapy, and periodontal (gum) disease. The more teeth that are missing, the more challenging it becomes to replace them.

The number one cause of multiple tooth loss in adults is periodontal disease, an infection that eventually destroys the bone supporting the teeth if left untreated, causing them to become mobile and eventually nonfunctional. If periodontal disease progresses too far, it can be impossible to save the affected teeth and they must be removed.

There are several significant problems associated with multiple missing teeth, including bone resorption (deterioration), teeth drifting into spaces created by tooth loss or removal, teeth in the opposing jaw moving up or down into the spaces and anterior teeth flaring out when posterior teeth are missing, as seen in the photos below. Excessive wear on the remaining teeth and the possibility of painful dysfunction of the jaw joints are also consequences of multiple missing teeth.