In addition to endangering the health, strength, and function of your jaw, when a tooth is missing the resulting gap will allow nearby teeth to shift from their normal position. This gradual movement presents an obvious cosmetic problem. However, the altered positions of these teeth can also result in severe bite problems, causing jaw pain, headaches, difficulty eating and swallowing, and loss of remaining teeth.
In short, missing teeth should be replaced in order to keep the remaining healthy teeth in their normal position without compromising their functional ability. If you are missing one or more teeth, you'll want replacements that are as natural as possible. If dentures don't work for you, you may consider dental implants. Unlike dentures, implants are permanently anchored into the jawbone, giving you the look, feel and function of your natural teeth. And with dental implants, you get a perfect fit!
