You might think one missing tooth isn’t a big deal — especially if it’s not in your smile line. But every tooth plays a critical role in bite stability, jawbone stimulation, and long-term facial balance. Leaving a gap can trigger a chain reaction that quietly changes your smile.
At Contemporary Dental Concepts (CDC) in Tempe, we help patients protect their oral health with early, aesthetic, and durable replacement options.
The Hidden Effects of a Missing Tooth
- Bone loss (resorption): Without chewing forces on a tooth root, the jawbone beneath starts to shrink within months.
- Teeth shift toward the gap: Neighbors drift, creating crowding, new food traps, and bite imbalance.
- TMJ strain & bite changes: Uneven forces can cause jaw fatigue, headaches, or clicking.
- Facial changes: Long-term bone loss can flatten facial contours and age your smile.
- Harder (and costlier) to fix later: Bone grafting or orthodontics may be required before replacement.
Tooth Replacement Options
1) Dental Implants (Gold Standard)
A small titanium or zirconia post replaces the tooth root and supports a custom porcelain crown. Implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth — and they help preserve jawbone.
2) Dental Bridge
A prosthetic tooth (pontic) anchored to crowns on the teeth next to the gap. Bridges restore function and aesthetics quickly, though they require reshaping the neighboring teeth.
3) Partial Denture
A removable option to replace several missing teeth in different areas. Modern designs are more comfortable and natural-looking than ever.
Why Many People Delay — And Why Not To
Cost hesitation is common. But postponing treatment can increase overall expense: bone loss may require grafting, shifting teeth may need aligners, and complex fixes take longer. We keep care accessible with clear pricing and flexible monthly plans.
Ready to Replace a Missing Tooth?
Get a personalized plan with clear options and transparent pricing at CDC, Tempe.
FAQ
How soon should I replace a missing tooth?
Are implants painful?
Do you offer financing?
You might think one missing tooth isn’t a big deal — especially if it’s not in your smile line. But every tooth plays a critical role in bite stability, jawbone stimulation, and long-term facial balance. Leaving a gap can trigger a chain reaction that quietly changes your smile.
At Contemporary Dental Concepts (CDC) in Tempe, we help patients protect their oral health with early, aesthetic, and durable replacement options.
The Hidden Effects of a Missing Tooth
- Bone loss (resorption): Without chewing forces on a tooth root, the jawbone beneath starts to shrink within months.
- Teeth shift toward the gap: Neighbors drift, creating crowding, new food traps, and bite imbalance.
- TMJ strain & bite changes: Uneven forces can cause jaw fatigue, headaches, or clicking.
- Facial changes: Long-term bone loss can flatten facial contours and age your smile.
- Harder (and costlier) to fix later: Bone grafting or orthodontics may be required before replacement.
Tooth Replacement Options
1) Dental Implants (Gold Standard)
A small titanium or zirconia post replaces the tooth root and supports a custom porcelain crown. Implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth — and they help preserve jawbone.
2) Dental Bridge
A prosthetic tooth (pontic) anchored to crowns on the teeth next to the gap. Bridges restore function and aesthetics quickly, though they require reshaping the neighboring teeth.
3) Partial Denture
A removable option to replace several missing teeth in different areas. Modern designs are more comfortable and natural-looking than ever.
Why Many People Delay — And Why Not To
Cost hesitation is common. But postponing treatment can increase overall expense: bone loss may require grafting, shifting teeth may need aligners, and complex fixes take longer. We keep care accessible with clear pricing and flexible monthly plans.
Ready to Replace a Missing Tooth?
Get a personalized plan with clear options and transparent pricing at CDC, Tempe.