Tooth loss can come with a variety of complications. Missing teeth can mean that your oral capabilities have declined and your smile is no longer looking its best. Dental implants can restore your smile’s function and appearance.
Implants can benefit the health of your jawbone as well. Dr. Lynn Morgan, a dentist in Severna Park, MD, describes how dental implants protect your jawbone after tooth loss.
What Happens to Jawbone After Tooth Loss?
In a healthy dental patient, a tooth extends below the gumline into the jaw, where it stimulates the bone and keeps it strong. If the tooth is missing, the jawbone is no longer stimulated and begins to deteriorate.
As the jaw loses structure, your face can begin to appear as if it is sagging. Your remaining teeth are also at risk of shifting and creating additional dental concerns.
How Do Dental Implants Protect My Jaw?
The dental implant features a titanium post that a dentist surgically inserts into the jaw. When this heals, the dentist places a prosthetic tooth or crown to an abutment attached to this post.
The post replaces the missing tooth root and stimulates the jawbone once again. This ceases bone deterioration and encourages the regrowth of bone that may have already been lost. The implant also allows patients to eat and speak normally, instilling confidence in these renewed abilities because implants are a permanent solution.
Is My Jaw Healthy Enough for Dental Implants?
Dental implants require a stable foundation in the jaw to sustain the titanium post. If too much bone has already deteriorated in the jaw, you might not be able to successfully receive implants.
If this is the case, your dentist may suggest a bone graft surgery to create more structure in the jaw that could support implants once healed. Your dentist can evaluate your jawbone strength through X-ray imaging during a consultation appointment. They can determine the best tooth replacement treatment for you based on an oral examination and your medical history.
Ask Your Dentist About Dental Implants in Severna Park, MD
Dr. Morgan provides dental implants and other tooth replacement solutions to qualified patients in Severna Park, MD. Our practice also specializes in restorative, cosmetic, and general dentistry for patients of all ages. To schedule an appointment with us, contact our office online or reach us by phone at 410.415.9015.