Although loss of a single front tooth may cause an appearance problem and embarrassment, the most serious consequence of the loss of any tooth is the resultant drifting of the adjacent or opposing teeth with destructive consequences for the bite. Furthermore, the loss of one or more teeth is usually followed by the progressive shrinkage of the adjacent jawbone. Individuals who are missing several or all of their teeth experience multiple problems related to their removable dentures.
Some people are embarrassed or self-conscious about their dentures.
Others, because the dentures are unstable, cannot eat properly and are often in pain from trapped food particles or from irritated gums sores. The average denture wearer loses up to one half of the chewing efficiency of those with natural teeth or fixed replacement teeth. The most devastating problem, however, is bone resorption. This is the progressive shrinkage of the jaw itself as the bone tissue atrophies due to the lack of teeth and their functional stimulation of the supporting bone. This shrinkage of bone results in poor denture fit as well as unnatural, unattractive changes in the facial structure.