“Can missing teeth cause jaw problems?”
I am a 38 year old male. I want to know if missing teeth can cause jaw problems?
4 Answers
Absolutely!! Missing posterior teeth can cause a variety of issues related to posterior vertical facial collapse including jaw joint problems, over eruption of posterior teeth, and overloading of remaining anterior teeth. Besides being an aesthetic issue, missing anterior teeth can cause problems with teeth shifting, to trauma to the posterior teeth. Please discuss further with your treating OMS.
It depends on how many and where are the missing teeth. If missing one or two, probably it’s not much a problem except for functionality, you may not able to chew or bite food properly. If you miss all the back teeth, then yes, in the long run can cause the jaw joint problem.
Yes, missing teeth can cause a variety of problems. Over closing causing strain on one or both sides of the TMJ and thinning or loss of bone in the area or areas where teeth are missing can occur. This can lead to fracture of the jaw and make it extremely difficult to replace missing teeth. It can and most often does lead to unwanted facial changes and digestive problems if left untreated by a dentist.