Life with even just one missing tooth can prove difficult – not only is your ability to smile confidently for pictures and loved ones greatly impacted, but you’ll also struggle to eat some of your favorite foods and feel limited when it comes to speaking clearly. But did you know that tooth loss can also quite literally cause your jawbone to deteriorate? Here’s more about this issue and how solutions like dental implants can often address it!
How Does Missing Teeth Lead to Bone Loss?
It’s estimated that around 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, with over a quarter of this group suffering from total tooth loss. However, tooth loss isn’t merely an aesthetic issue that leaves you with unsightly gaps in your grin; it also poses several oral health risks, including some that affect your jawbone. Not only can your jaw begin to shrink and weaken, but it can also lead to you suffering from facial collapse!
Your teeth are directly connected to your jaw via the roots, and they play an important role in keeping these bones healthy. Chewing on healthy, hearty foods like carrots, apples, broccoli, lean meats, and others essentially have the same effect on our mouths that weight-bearing exercise has on our bodies. The force exerted by biting and chewing stimulates our jawbones, encouraging them to remain vigorous and strong.
Can Dentures Help with This Bone Loss?
Dentures are a tried-and-true option for replacing missing teeth. Made to look and function as closely to natural teeth as possible, they rely on a base that rests against the gum tissue where the teeth used to be. They allow patients with even the most severe tooth loss to eat, speak, and smile with confidence once more.
However, dentures don’t address the underlying bone loss issues that are triggered by lost teeth, since they do not provide true stimulation to the jaws. What’s worse is that bone atrophy can sometimes even occur faster for denture patients.
What About Dental Implants?
Dental implants remain the gold standard for replacing missing teeth, mainly because they restore teeth from the roots to the crown – something other restoration options cannot do. They consist of titanium posts that are surgically implanted into the patient’s jawbone, where they act as replacement roots. A corresponding dental restoration is attached to these posts to replace the lost teeth, and when the patient bites and chews, pressure is sent down to stimulate the jawbones. This means that dental implants are often quite ideal for not only replacing missing teeth but also preventing bone loss and associated facial collapse!
Keep in mind that dental implants require sufficient jawbone density and adequate gum health, meaning some patients who’ve been without their teeth for some time might need to undergo a bone graft before receiving implants. In any case, if you’re in the group of people with life-altering tooth loss, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation to see how dental implants can restore your smile and quality of life!
About the Practice
Our team here at Community Dentists of Worcester has proudly served patients and families in Worcester and the surrounding area for several years. We offer a wide range of solutions for addressing tooth loss, including in-house dental implant service. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with us to set up an appointment to begin rebuilding your smile, please visit us online or call us today for assistance. Telephone: (774) 255-7345.
