Patients with missing teeth may notice disruptive side effects, including a diminished appearance of their smile and deteriorating oral functions. Tooth replacement treatment through dental implants can restore your smile.
Implants have the additional benefit of stopping bone loss in the jaw too. The dental experts at Levesque Dentistry in Nashua, NH, describe how dental implants can improve jawbone health after tooth loss.
What Happens to Jawbone After Tooth Loss?
In a healthy patient, the tooth extends below the gum line and into the jaw. The presence of the tooth root stimulates the jawbone and keeps it strong.
If a patient experiences tooth loss, the jawbone no longer receives stimulation, and in the absence of the tooth root, the bone begins to deteriorate. When the jaw loses structure, the face can appear to sag, and your remaining teeth are at risk of shifting positions and worsening dental problems. If you suffer from pain or other issues with your jawbone, please see Jaw Pain.
How Can Dental Implants Stop Bone Loss?
A dental implant consists of a titanium post that a dentist surgically places into the jaw. Once this heals, the dentist secures a prosthetic tooth or crown to an abutment at the gumline attached to this post.
The post replaces the missing tooth root and stimulates the jawbone once again. This stops bone loss in the jaw and encourages the regrowth of bone that has already deteriorated while the tooth was absent.
Implants fill gaps between teeth to restore your smile’s appearance and allow patients to be able to eat and speak normally once again. The improvement of jawbone health also preserves your facial structure and prevents further dental concerns associated with misalignment.
Will My Jaw Support Dental Implants?
For successful tooth replacement treatment, your jaw must be stable enough to support the titanium post. If the bone in your jaw has already deteriorated too much due to tooth loss, you might not be able to receive dental implants.
Your dentist might recommend a bone graft to create stability in the jaw that may support implants once healed. If this is not possible, you can discuss alternative restorative dental treatments with your dentist.
Learn More About Dental Implants in Nashua, NH
Levesque Dentistry offers dental implants and other tooth replacement treatments to patients in Nashua, NH. Our practice also specializes in restorative, cosmetic, and general dentistry, including preventative dental care. To schedule an appointment with us, contact our office online or reach us by phone at 603.547.9203.