Tooth loss can occur for a number of reasons, but even if the underlying cause is treated, missing teeth can create secondary dental issues. Tooth replacement with dental implants will restore oral function and enhance your smile’s appearance.
Implants can also stop bone deterioration that may occur if a dental patient is missing teeth. Dr. Sulekha Agrawal, a dentist in Columbia, MD, describes how dental implants can improve jawbone health after a patient sustains tooth loss.
What Happens to Jawbone After Tooth Loss?
In a healthy individual, the tooth extends below the gumline to a root in the jaw. The tooth root stimulates the jawbone and keeps it strong.
After a dental patient loses one or more teeth, the tooth root is no longer present to stimulate the jaw, and the bone there begins to deteriorate. As the jaw weakens, remaining teeth may begin to shift, risking further dental problems. These patients may also notice sagging in the appearance of their faces.
How Can Dental Implants Help My Jaw?
Removable tooth replacement solutions, like dentures, do not replace the absent tooth root and therefore cannot treat jawbone deterioration associated with tooth loss. However, dental implants involve a titanium post that a dentist surgically places into the jaw to create a permanent foundation for a prosthetic tooth.
This post acts as a tooth root, stimulating the jaw and stopping bone loss. The treatment also encourages regeneration of bone that may have already deteriorated while the tooth was missing. This preserves the appearance of your smile as well as your facial structure.
Is My Jaw Healthy Enough for Dental Implants?
Dental implants require a strong foundation in the jaw to support the titanium posts. If too much bone has already deteriorated after tooth loss, your jaw may not be able to successfully receive implants.
If this is the case, your dentist may recommend a bone graft surgery to create stability in the jaw that may support implants once healed. Your dentist can evaluate your jawbone health through diagnostic imaging after a consultation appointment.
Dental Implants and More in Columbia, MD
Columbia Family Dental Care offers dental implants and other tooth replacement solutions to patients in Columbia, MD. Dr. Agrawal specializes in restorative, cosmetic, and general dentistry for patients of all ages. To schedule a consultation appointment with our practice, contact us online or reach our office by phone at 410.221.3097.