How Does a Dental Implant Help My Smile?
January 26, 2018
Losing a tooth when you’re a kid can come with a dollar under your pillow from the Tooth Fairy. Losing a tooth as an adult can be a less positive experience. Adult teeth are meant to last us a lifetime, but that is not always how it goes. With the exception of the wisdom teeth, a tooth lost as an adult should usually be replaced. If you lose a front tooth, you may feel it more necessary to replace the tooth to fix your appearance. Missing a tooth in the back of the mouth can make replacement feel less urgent. However, missing any tooth can lead to bone density loss and cause problems with biting, chewing, or even speaking. While a prosthetic restoration can restore function and appearance, a dental implant can help prevent possible bone loss.
What Causes the Risk of Bone Loss?
Each tooth and each tooth’s roots stimulate your jawbone. Without a tooth and the stimulation that comes from it, the body may deem that area of your jawbone unnecessary. This may cause your body to stop sending important minerals and may send the bone’s minerals elsewhere in the body in a process called bone resorption. Bone resorption can cause the jaw to weaken and soften over time. As it softens, it may begin to change shape and put your remaining teeth in danger.. A weak jawbone creates a risk of losing more teeth.
How Do Dental Implants Lower That Risk?
A dental implant is a replacement for the roots of your missing tooth. A biocompatible titanium post is inserted strategically in a position where the roots once were. Your soft tissues will fuse to the implant making your body will believe that your bone still requires important minerals. The dental implant will also provide a stable foundation for a restoration like a crown, bridge, or a full or partial set of dentures. In some cases, an implant can be done in a same-day visit.
A Dental Implant Can Protect Your Smile From Bone Loss
Your smile can be protected by a dental implant. To find out if you qualify for dental implants or same-day implants, schedule a consultation by calling Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.