10/14/2026
A missing back tooth is easy to ignore since nobody sees it when you smile. The rest of your mouth notices, though.
Over time, the teeth next to the gap can drift and tilt, and the jawbone where the tooth used to be slowly shrinks. A dental implant replaces the root as well as the crown, which helps preserve that bone and keeps the neighboring teeth where they belong.
The longer the gap stays open, the more likely it is that bone grafting will be needed before an implant can go in. If you have been putting off a missing tooth, call us to schedule an implant consultation.