Dental Implants Can Stop Bone Loss
Bone loss happens naturally when a bone starts to break down and then gets absorbed by your body. This happens often in the jawbone when a tooth is lost. When the tooth root is gone and no longer in the socket, there is nothing to stimulate the bone in that area. It will begin atrophying as soon as the tooth is missing. It is a gradual process and does not occur overnight. The sooner you replace the missing tooth with a dental implant you can prevent any further bone loss.
One of the biggest negative impacts of losing a permanent tooth is that of bone loss. It adds stress to your remaining natural teeth, and it will soon change the structure of your face. Jawbone loss generates a sunken look to your face. The absolute most effective treatment available today to prevent this bone loss from occurring is by replacing the lost tooth with a dental implant.
What is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth restoration and an artificial root used to replace a missing tooth. Your dentist surgically places a small titanium post, which will act like a natural root, where it will bond or fuse with the jawbone. This process is called osseointegration. Once it has grown into the bone it creates a stable and solid anchor. Then an abutment, or extension, reaches the post to the surface of the gums where an artificial crown will be attached to the top. The dental implant restoration will look and function just like a natural tooth. The titanium root is biocompatible with all the tissues of your mouth. This new artificial root will now continue to stimulate the jawbone keeping the density healthy.
Dental Implants Can Stop Bone Loss
If you have a tooth that must be extracted, it is wise to replace it with a dental implant as soon as possible following the extraction. Once that natural tooth is removed, the jawbone begins to atrophy immediately. The longer you postpone, the more density the jawbone loses (and the greater the need for bone grafting). Directly after the titanium post is placed, the bone will start to bond with the artificial root to create a solid and secure hold. This simply restoration will keep your jaw healthy and strong.
Your jaw and face will now keep its natural shape and appearance with the replacement of the missing tooth with a dental implant. A dental implant literally duplicates the function and the appearance of a natural tooth. When you elect to have a dental implant placed, it not only integrates to your jawbone, stabilizing jawbone integrity, but it also stabilizes your surrounding teeth. The neighboring teeth will drift into that gap if it is not filled. The dental implant provides constant pressures, stress, and stimulation so the jawbone can maintain itself. This pressure stimulation is something that a dental bridge restoration cannot provide. A dental implant keeps your jaw healthy and maintains the structural integrity of all your teeth.
Bone Loss Is Detrimental
If you do not replace the tooth and allow the bone loss in your jawbone, your mouth and face will suffer a number of consequences. The most obvious is your appearance. With the jawbone atrophy, the excess skin and muscle begin to sag, accelerating your aging look. Your gums will also begin to shrink, which will increase the risk for gum disease. A simple dental implant can help to prevent these situations from happening.