Tooth loss—Now what?

Tooth loss can strike out of nowhere. Perhaps it’s due to poor genetics, or maybe an accident, or even severe tooth decay. No matter the reason, it’s not uncommon for an adult to be missing a tooth or two. If this is the case for you, what are you supposed to do? Can’t you just leave it alone and let your body adjust?

Sure, you can ignore the tooth loss, but that can come with consequences. The reality is, missing a tooth can create more issues than you might realize. Of course, there are the obvious problems that can occur when you’re missing one or more teeth—it’s going to affect eating or speaking. But that’s not the only issue. When you are missing a tooth, the neighboring teeth have a habit of shifting to fill the open space. This can create all sorts of misalignments and bite issues in the future.

There’s one other problem that occurs with tooth loss, and it often catches people by surprise—bone loss. Your entire body knows when a tooth falls away. The problem with this is, the jawbones that support your teeth begin to think they have lost their job. Over time, they are reabsorbed, affecting your jaw structure. Don’t panic! Dental implants are a long-term solution to help you prevent all of these issues and keep you smiling for the rest of your life.

Why Bone Loss Happens After Tooth Loss

We’ve all heard the song that goes, “the leg bone’s connected to the hip bone,” and so on. Well, it’s more than just a catchy tune so kids can learn the parts of the body. Our entire body is connected more than just structurally. All the way from our toes to the tops of our heads, our bodies communicate with themselves to operate smoothly and effectively. When something is missing, things naturally begin to adjust to keep everything in tip-top-shape, even if we don’t want them to.

In the case of tooth loss, the jaw learns that the tooth is missing and shuts down business, eventually fading away and creating structural issues with your jaw. Teeth stimulate the jawbone, keeping it strong. Without this stimulation, the bone deteriorates over time. This creates all sorts of issues, not only with the function of our mouth, but also with our appearance.

How Dental Implants Prevent Bone Loss

With modern technology and restorative dentistry, there are ways to maintain the ideal appearance and function of your smile. Dental implants to the rescue! They mimic the natural roots of the teeth by integrating with the jawbone. This helps maintain bone density. The implant also helps stimulate bone growth through osseointegration. This process makes the entire structure stronger than before, as the posts of the implants become one with the jawbone.

Dental implants also do their job at preserving facial structure. By taking the place of a missing tooth, it helps prevent the sunken appearance caused by bone loss.

Additional Benefits of Dental Implants

Maintaining the optimal structure of your jaw isn’t the only benefit of dental implants. In fact, there are many different reasons why they might just be considered the gold standard of prosthetic teeth.

Dental implants have the ability to look completely natural. So much so, that your friends won’t even know it’s not your natural tooth unless you tell them. As if that’s not good enough, they are long-lasting. When cared for properly, they can last a lifetime. If your speech is affected by your missing teeth, dental implants will help you be better understood! Your entire oral function can be restored with dental implants, ensuring your smile is just as it was before, if not better. So why not do what you can to maintain a youthful and natural-looking smile?

More Than Just a Replacement

Dental implants are far more than a replacement for a missing tooth. They are a long-term solution to restoring your smile to its former glory. Not only do they keep your teeth aligned properly, help maintain proper oral function, and maintain a healthy appearance, but they also keep your jawbone from deteriorating. It might be tempting to leave that gap alone when you lose a tooth, but it’s important to do what you can to maintain your oral function.

Are you on the hunt for a solution to missing teeth? If so, look no further than King Dental for all of your oral health needs. Whether you are in need of dental implants or a simple cleaning, we are here for you every step of the way. If you are ready to make an appointment or request a consultation, you can do so online in just a few clicks! We look forward to helping your smile be the best that it can be.