Aren’t sure if dental implants are the right choice for your smile? If you’ve recently lost a tooth or multiple teeth, we recommend scheduling an appointment with our Hobart, IN, dental implant dentist.
One of the main benefits of dental implants is their ability to stop the progression of bone loss in the jaw. This means that can greatly reduce your risk of further tooth loss, jawbone deterioration, and changes to your facial profile.
Here’s what else you need to know about the dental implant procedure, how it can preserve bone density in the jaw for the rest of your life, and why it matters to replace teeth.
What Happens After Tooth Loss?
The human body is resourceful. As such, a missing tooth doesn’t go unnoticed. Once you lose a tooth, the surrounding jawbone no longer receives pressure when you chew and bite. This can trigger a process called bone resorption which causes the body to gradually absorb the minerals in your jaw so they may be used elsewhere.
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While this is incredibly efficient, it does have some undesirable effects. Namely, it causes the jaw to shrink and lose bone density over time. As the jaw shrinks, you may notice that your facial profile may appear more sunken as the missing teeth and bone structure no longer help to fill your face out. That’s why replacing a tooth after extraction or decay is more than cosmetic, it’s critical for oral health.
The good news is that single-tooth dental implants can stop bone loss before it progresses, protecting your smile and well-being in the long run. Neighboring teeth also do not need to be altered. Instead, a titanium post is placed into the jaw where the tooth root used to be, and a custom crown is attached after healing.
Because of their impressive stability and durability over time, implants have become one of the most popular tooth replacement options available.
What’s Involved in Dental Implant Treatment?
Single-tooth implants are designed to mimic the natural structure of teeth. The implant itself is a small, titanium post that is surgically placed by our local dental implant dentist into the jawbone, where it acts as an artificial tooth root. Once implanted, the post fuses with the bone in a process called osseointegration.
This bond between the and the jawbone helps stimulate the bone in the same way a natural tooth root would, preventing bone loss and maintaining jawbone density.
By placing the implant directly into the bone, the pressure and stimulation from everyday activities like chewing and speaking are transferred to the jawbone. This stimulation encourages the body to continue regenerating and maintaining the bone tissue, just as it would if a natural tooth were still present. As a result, the bone remains strong and stable, preserving both the functionality of the mouth and the structure of the face.
How Can Implants Protect the Health of Remaining Teeth?
If your remaining teeth don’t have proper support, they’ll start to drift toward the open space left by the empty socket. This can result in crooked and/or crowded teeth, as well as a misaligned bite. By replacing a tooth with a dental implant, your other teeth will remain in their original positions and you’ll greatly reduce your risk of further tooth and bone loss. It’s a win-win!
Why You Should Seek Treatment ASAP
Most people who experience tooth loss are . That being said, it’s better for your oral health and overall well-being if you replace a missing tooth right away. This ensures that we stop bone loss in its tracks as soon as possible. Also, the sooner dental implant placement happens after tooth loss, the less likely you’ll need a dental bone graft.
Book a Dental Implant Consultation
Our dental implant dentist in Hobart, IN, is accepting new patients. To schedule a consultation and learn more about your tooth replacement options, please call Ridgewood Dental at (219) 947-2922. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
This blog post has been updated.
