Will missing tooth shift/change my smile over a period of over 10 yrs?

Doctor's Answers 2

It really depends on the location of the tooth that was extracted. Losing a tooth closer to the front teeth may result in drifting of the teeth and cause the midline to shift. This in turn may affect your smile.

If you only lost one tooth, it is unlikely to create any facial changes. At 15 years old, there is a little growth left. Your nose and chin may grow a little more forward, together with thinning of the facial tissues with age. If there was any weight loss during this period, the facial bones may become more prominent. This would cause changes to your face, lips and smile.

As with Dr Lam’s answer, the teeth next to the space can tilt inwards over time, creating areas that may prove difficult to maintain or keep clean, and making the space smaller.

There are many ways to improve your smile. It would be best for you to have a detailed consultation with your dentist or orthodontist to see what the treatment options are for your case. They can also advise you on whether the space from the missing tooth should be maintained and restored with an implant, or whether the space can be closed using braces. Everyone deserves a great smile. 🙂 All the best and I hope this helps.

Thank you for your questions!

When a tooth is missing it leaves a space or gap in the mouth. Over time, adjacent and/or opposing teeth can move into this space which can affect your smile. If you have noticed that the space has become smaller, then it’s likely the teeth next to the gap have drifted into this space.

If you are missing multiple teeth, the muscles, skin and soft tissues will lose support and begin to sag which can make you appear older. Weight loss can also contribute towards this as it’s unlikely a single tooth will cause much of a difference.

It’s best to consult with a dentist for options to improve your smile. They may be able to offer you braces, crowns, veneers or even anti wrinkle injections/lip enhancements depending on your case.

I hope this helps!

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