People have many concerns when they face tooth loss, but probably they are most worried about how missing teeth will affect their appearance, their speech, and their ability to chew properly. Those are all valid concerns, and with the technological advance of today’s dental implants, they can rest in the assurance that full beauty and function will be restored.

Changes to the Jaw Bone After Tooth Loss

People may not be aware that tooth loss also impacts the health of the jaw bone. Tooth roots are held in place with fibers, blood vessels, and nerves that keep the tooth alive and nourish the jaw bone. When the stimulation of a tooth root ceases, a process called resorption begins. Resorption is the shrinking and declining of bone mass in the jaw.

Bone loss in the jaw leads to several health problems:

  • Changes in facial appearance occur. Mouths take on a prematurely aged appearance and seem to collapse. Jowls can form as the facial muscles detach from the bone.
  • The attachment of neighboring teeth to the bone is jeopardized. The bone becomes more porous and less able to secure teeth.
  • Teeth also begin to shift into the gaps where tooth loss occurred, causing misalignment.

Bone resorption is an ongoing process, and many who wear dentures notice its detrimental effects. The instability of the shape and size of the jaw leads to the necessity of frequent denture adjustments. Many people often experience sore areas in the soft tissue in their mouths caused by dentures that no longer fit properly.

Dental Implants Preserve Oral Health

Dental implants eliminate most of the serious issues associated with tooth loss and bone resorption. Dental implants are not just a cosmetic replacement of a tooth crown; they are a full replacement of a tooth from its root to its crown. No other tooth replacement provides this amazing benefit.

By replacing the tooth root, the jaw remains healthy, and a person retains the full chewing ability of a strong bite. The implant stimulates rejuvenation of the jaw bone. Implant restorations secure the health of neighboring teeth, preventing them from slipping out of alignment. Implants also sustain the structural shape of the face.

Procedure of Dental Implants

Dental implants use a titanium post to replace missing tooth roots. Titanium is also used in hip replacements and other prosthetics because it is bio-compatible with the body. The body welcomes and integrates the implants into the jaw bone. Then, through a process called osseointegration, bone growth surrounds the posts, making it a secure anchor for prosthetic restorations.

Beautiful, custom-designed porcelain crowns are attached to the implant posts with an abutment. People can replace a full arch of teeth, a row of teeth, or a single tooth with dental implants. The process is not painful, and the restoration has more than a 95-percent success rate. Implants usually last a lifetime.

Call SKS Dental in Arlington for Tooth Restorations

If you are interested in receiving dental implants, give SKS Dental a call. Dr. Smita Sabharwal provides professional dental implants for smiles that last a lifetime.