Does the loss of one or a few teeth compromise facial structure?
The bone in the front of your mouth is very thin, so if you lose a front tooth the bone usually melts away rather quickly. This will cause the bone and gums to cave in and be visible when smiling which makes many people self conscious about their appearance. When a front tooth is replaced by a tooth-supported bridge, the teeth on either side look natural. Over time the gums and bone above the false tooth collapse, leaving the false tooth hanging and looking fake. This problem is more obvious if a few teeth are lost in the front of the mouth, since the bony defect is much larger. As the bone deteriorates above the bridge, there is often a visible gap between the gums and the bridge.
