December 6, 2018
Millions of Americans are missing all their teeth, and even more are missing just one tooth. Fortunately, treatment is simple once you choose the option that is right for you. At Smiles by Hogan, we want you to make the most informed decisions about your treatment, but first we want you to understand the dangers of missing teeth and how dental implants can help you avoid them.
Once a tooth is lost, the root also goes. This means that there is nothing in the jawbone to stimulate regeneration and the bone may die over time. Missing teeth is the leading cause of bone loss in the jaw. With implants, a titanium rod is placed directly in the bone, and the bone sees it as the natural root, healing around it. The rod then stimulates bone growth and prevents any additional loss.
When you are missing teeth, your remaining teeth may shift over time. Although all teeth are attached to the bone in the jaw, they can shift because of tooth decay, gum recession and missing teeth. When implants are placed, they take the place of the missing tooth and hold the remaining teeth in place. Implants can prevent changes to your bite that are common with shifting teeth.
If you are missing teeth, eating certain foods can be difficult and even impossible in some situation. Teeth are intended to tear apart the food we eat before we swallow it, so our body can digest it. When they are missing, the body has no way of breaking the food down. Implants basically replace the natural teeth and allow you to eat the foods you’ve always enjoyed with no concerns.
If you want to learn more about implants and how they can help you avoid the pitfalls of missing teeth, call our office today to schedule an appointment with a prosthodontist. An improved quality of life is just around the corner with teeth replacement options.