Missing Teeth Weaken Your Jawbone

The negatives associated with tooth loss are overwhelming. The experience of losing a tooth, or having a tooth become so damaged that it needs to be extracted, is exhausting and painful. Tooth loss can cause you to feel self conscious about your smile, and it almost always necessitates dietary changes. An often overlooked negative associated with tooth loss is the potential for jawbone damage. Your jawbone relies on the stimulation of your teeth to stay strong and vital. If you are missing teeth and the stimulation they provide, your jawbone may begin to weaken and lose mass over time.

Your Jawbone Needs your Teeth and Vice Versa

Teeth are strong and stable because of the structure of your jawbone. Your jawbone holds the roots of your tooth in place and allows you to chew food comfortably. Without that deep, powerful connection between tooth and jawbone, your teeth wouldn’t be nearly as strong. Conversely, without your teeth in place, your jawbone won’t remain vital. It may begin to lose bone mass and strength over the years, which can lead to loosening teeth and a brittle bone structure. Replacing your missing teeth can help.

Dental Implants Replace Tooth Root Structure

There are many prosthetic options for replacing missing teeth. Dental bridges can be used to close gaps in your smile. Dentures can be used to replace an entire dental ridge of teeth. None of those prosthetics do quite what dental implants can do though. Dental implants are surgically set in your jawbone, so that your jawbone heals around the implant and holds it in place. This can strengthen your jawbone in the long-term, and it will provide your replacement teeth with more bite power and stability than other prosthetic options.

Dental Implants Function and Look the Part

In addition to providing benefits for the health of your jawbone, dental implants also restore the appearance of your smile and function of your bite. While the dental implant itself is a titanium post, your dentist will complete the restoration with a dental crown on top. The crown is made to look just like a natural tooth. That means that the implant will not only rebuild your smile, but it will also allow you to chew food comfortably again. The dental crown your dentist fabricates will be based on measurements of your actual mouth, so you can be sure it will fit comfortably next to your other teeth.

Learn More About Dental Implants at Elm Creek Dental

The health of your jawbone has a long-term impact on your overall oral health. If you’ve already experienced tooth loss, you don’t want to face compounding issues in the future. Address your tooth loss and improve your future outlook with one or more dental implants. To learn more about this treatment, contact our team at Elm Creek Dental in Maple Grove, MN by calling 763-416-0606.