Missing Teeth

Tooth loss can be caused by gum disease, deep decay, and trauma. Certain congenital genetic conditions can result in teeth which never develop. Some medical conditions can contribute to tooth loss. But no matter what the cause, missing teeth should never be ignored. A missing tooth is not just a cosmetic problem; losing a tooth can impact your oral health as well.

Bite Problems

When a missing tooth leaves a gap, your healthy, even bite can suffer misalignment.

  • The remaining teeth might begin moving toward the empty spot left by your lost tooth. Shifting teeth will upset the comfortable alignment of your teeth and your bite.
  • A tooth above or below the missing tooth might begin to grow longer to fill the void where the teeth once met, causing further bite problems.
  • Changes in your bite can cause headaches, difficulty brushing and flossing, and excess wear and damage to your remaining teeth.

Difficulty Chewing

The loss of even a single tooth has a negative effect on eating habits and neighboring teeth.

  • Chewing and biting put many pounds of pressure on the teeth. Extra pressure is put on your remaining teeth when a tooth is missing, which causes more wear on them.
  • Front teeth are designed to bite, not to grind or chew. Using the front teeth for chewing is hard on teeth and doesn’t break down your food properly.
  • You may start chewing on only one side of the mouth, which can lead to tooth sensitivity and temporomandibular joint pain.
  • If food isn’t chewed as thoroughly as it should be, your digestive health can suffer.

Bone Loss

The bone tissue that supports your teeth needs the stimulation of biting and chewing to stay

healthy.

  • Without this stimulation, bone tissue under your missing tooth will be resorbed by the body, creating a sunken area where the tooth used to be.
  • Loss of bone in the jaw can destabilize surrounding teeth as well, causing loose teeth.
  • If you want to replace a lost tooth with a dental implant, surgical bone grafting could be necessary to restore enough healthy bone to hold the implant, or the procedure may not be possible at all.

Changes in Facial Appearance and Speech

A missing tooth can affect your self-confidence, just as it can affect your health.

  • A gap in your teeth can make you hesitant to smile.
  • Cheeks, lips, and profiles can take on a sunken look when the jawbone shrinks, causing your face to look older.
  • Because it’s difficult to pronounce some sounds properly with missing teeth, your speech can be affected.

If you are missing one or more teeth, don’t delay treatment. Talk to your dentist about the options available for comfortable and natural-looking tooth replacement, including implants, bridges, and full or partial dentures. Replacing a missing tooth restores the appearance and protects the health of your smile.

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Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

10:00 am-7:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-7:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-7:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-7:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-3:00 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am-3:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

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Testimonials

What Our Clients Say About Us

  • "The staff are always so accommodating and friendly, no waiting and very good and thorough dental work"
    Sherri W.
  • "I rated 10 on the question about referring a friend because I have done so. She went yesterday and I asked her about the experience and she was very pleased. No surprise here!! I have always felt that the people who help me, including Dr. Alpert, treat me and my dental health at a level of attention far above that required to simply do a job. They show a genuine concern about my welfare; I need their help; I am glad they are there. As Dr. Alpert said on my last visit about a potential issue, they will “keep an eye on it” for me. I find that vigilance genuinely re-assuring. Over the years I have have come to appreciate that re-assurance as a form of good medicine."
    Robert W.
  • "Very friendly staff! Dr. Alpert is a very good Dentist. I have been very happy with the quality work he has done on my teeth. I highly recommend him!"
    Martha L.
  • "I had a very good experience there, everyone was very friendly professional and good at what they do. I had a cleaning which was virtually pain free and 2 fillings done in one visit.
    I will be going back to this dentist and would recommend to anyone that I know."
    Harold H.
  • "I have been going to the Dental Care of Waterford for over 50 years. The receptionist(s) are eager to make you feel welcome and relaxed. Becky, the hygienist is caring and efficient.
    Dr. Lloyd Alpert does a thorough exam and addresses any concerns and asks if there is still problems.
    The staff is quick to respond to any concerns their patients have.
    I would highly recommend Dental Care of Waterford, MI."
    Barbara R.
  • "haven't had the ability to see a dentist in over 3 years due to Covid and loss of insurance. Now that i was able to seek dental care i was able to schedule an appointment within 3 days of calling to have a cracked filling taken care of... Staff is amazingly friendly and considerate of any needs and even asked if I had insurance just to make sure I could have X-rays done and not have to pay for my visit with one of my kidneys. Dr. Alpert is wonderful! Explained everything that he was about to do and how it might feel. completely painless and fast visit for a filling nonetheless. I definitely have found my new dental office and can actually say I look forward to my cleaning!"
    Kelly S.
  • "This was my first visit to Dr. Alpert's office. I was referred by a friend. Everyone was so nice and knowledgeable. I had the most thorough cleaning I think I've ever had. Everyone put you completely at ease. I highly recommend this dentist."
    Karen M.
  • "Ever been in a situation where you have a dental emergency and call about 20 dentist offices trying to get in? I have and Dr. Alpert's office was the only office to get me in within 24 hours. They were able to help me with my shattered tooth problem totally painlessly. Anytime I've been in for a cleaning, the wait has been minimal. The staff is friendly and professional. I'm in and out in no time. I would highly recommend Dr. Alpert to anyone in the area for last-minute needs and cleanings. His offer is a little hard to spot but it is right off M59 and there is ample parking"
    Alexandrea L.