Oral health goes beyond simply brushing and flossing every day, especially as we age and our teeth show signs of wear and tear or suffer injuries. Many patients experience tooth loss as a result of poor oral health, periodontal disease, or injury.
Missing teeth are not only a problem with how the patient looks. Obviously, chewing is affected, and in some cases, speech can be modified as well. But, as time goes by, if the missing tooth is not replaced with an implant, the jaw bone underneath will begin receding.
RECEDING BONE TISSUE DUE TO TOOTH LOSS
When a tooth is lost, the bone tissue that was supporting it resorbs into the body. As time goes by, and in the absence of pressure stimuli made by chewing, more bone will be resorbed.
If the patient suffers from periodontal disease and tooth loss, the bacteria present in the mouth continues to eat into the bone, jeopardizing surrounding teeth and bone tissue. In such cases, it’s even more imperative to replace missing teeth in addition to treating gum disease.
WHAT ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS?
Dental implants are titanium screws that are inserted in the jaw bone, replacing the missing tooth’s roots. Getting a dental implant is a multi-stage procedure and requires several visits to the dentist, plus time for the area to heal in-between steps. In some cases, patients may require a bone graft before the implant is fitted.
After the implant has fused with the bone and is solid enough to support the pressure of chewing, an artificial crown (the visible part of the tooth) is attached to it.
HOW IMPLANTS PROMOTE JAW BONE HEALTH
After successfully getting an implant, the whole structure of the missing tooth is replaced, including the roots. If you had a bone graft, your missing bone tissue is already restored to a degree, but what’s wonderful is what happens after using the implant.
When using an implant by chewing or talking, you are putting pressure on it and the implant itself starts stimulating the bone tissue around. As a response, the bone tissue gets stronger and stronger, regenerating and building up its structure to support the tooth as needed.
A secondary advantage of dental implants is a result of the treatment process itself. Over the course of several months, your oral health is closely monitored by your dentist to ensure the success of your implant. You will get treated for periodontal disease and any other issues that may inhibit the success of your procedure, resulting in a healthier smile and bite for you.
book an appointment in redmond today
If you have one or more missing teeth and you are interested in getting dental implants, Dr. Daniel Bickel and his team at Redmond Art of Dentistry are ready to help. We are highly specialized in implant dentistry and will explain the best treatment plan options transparently and with empathy. Contact us to book an appointment, or if you have any questions.