Patients who have suffered tooth loss can discover a permanent, effective tooth replacement solution with dental implants. These fixtures enhance your smile’s appearance and restore oral functions.
Implants have the additional benefit of preventing bone deterioration in the jaw of patients who are missing teeth. Dr. Heather Adams, a dentist in Rogers, AR, describes how dental implants keep your jawbone healthy after tooth loss.
What Happens to Jawbone After Tooth Loss?
In a healthy patient, the tooth extends below the gum line to the jaw. This tooth root stimulates the bone in the jaw to keep it strong.
If a patient experiences tooth loss, the jaw no longer receives this stimulus and deteriorates in the absence of the tooth root. This can lead to cosmetic and functional issues including facial sagging and the shifting of remaining teeth as the jaw weakens.
How Can Dental Implants Help Bone Health?
A dental implant consists of a titanium post that a dentist surgically places into the jaw. Once this heals, they secure a prosthetic tooth to an abutment above the gumline that attaches to this post.
The post replaces the missing tooth root and stimulates the jaw once again. This stops jawbone deterioration and encourages regeneration of bone that may have already been lost after tooth loss.
A dental implant can improve a patient’s smile by filling gaps where teeth are missing and preventing facial sagging. It will also restore oral capabilities, allowing patients to eat and speak normally once again.
Will My Jaw Support Dental Implants?
The dental implant gets its stability from the titanium post in the jaw. Therefore, your jaw must be strong enough to provide a secure foundation for this post.
If too much jawbone has already deteriorated due to tooth loss, your jaw may not be able to support a dental implant. If this is the case, your dentist may suggest a bone graft procedure to create more structure in the jaw that might support an implant once healed. Your dentist may also recommend an alternative tooth replacement treatment if this is not feasible.
Replace Teeth with Dental Implants in Rogers, AR
Dr. Adams offers dental implants and other tooth replacement solutions to patients in Rogers, AR. Our practice also specializes in restorative, cosmetic, and general dentistry for patients of all ages. To schedule an appointment with us, contact our office online or reach us by phone at 479.323.3011.