Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, which may result in a bad bite.

Dental bridges or dental implants offer the best means of improving smiles by filling in gaps or replacing missing teeth. Missing teeth can cause a change in occlusion (bite), shifting of the teeth, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), speech impediments, an increased risk for periodontal disease and a greater chance of tooth decay.