The Chain Reaction of Tooth Loss
A smile is a beautiful thing. When we think of loosing a tooth, we usually think of the aesthetic impact of how it will affect our smile and our appearance. However, when it comes to losing a tooth, there are many other complications that go beyond the unsightly gap.
The bone in your jaws actually requires a tooth attached to it, to stimulate it and keep it healthy. As your teeth continuously touch each other, it triggers the periodontal ligaments (‘peri' – around; ‘odont' – tooth) which then prompts the bone to continuously rebuild. This is one of the ways the bone in the jaw maintains its form and density. If there is a missing tooth, it means the bone is not getting what it requires to keep rebuilding resulting in bone loss. A loss of a tooth can actually decrease the width of a bone by 25% in just one year!
The problem is as the jaw bone becomes compromised, it can affect your bite, the placement of other teeth in your mouth, your tongue placement and can even cause your cheeks and mouth to droop. But don't fret, if you are missing a tooth, your dentist may recommend a dental implant to help you.
What is a Dental Implant:
A dental implant is a tooth root replacement, to which a crown is attached. The implant of a root replacement occurs within the gum. Once this area has healed a crown (the portion you can see in the mouth that looks like a tooth) is then attached.
What's fabulous is that the implant looks, feels and functions like a natural tooth. The success rate of a dental implant is remarkable at 91 percent for upper implants and 98 percent for lower implants.
Implants are very durable and will last many years. Although a dental implant can not get a cavity, it still requires dental maintenance such as brushing, flossing and looking after. They require the same "maintenance" as real teeth, including brushing, flossing and regular dental checkups.
Dental implants can help restore almost anyone's smile even if natural teeth have been lost to injury or disease. Nearly everyone who can have routine dental care can successfully use implants.
If you currently have a gap from a missing tooth or are looking for a dental alternative for your teeth, then book an appointment with your Burlington Dentist and find out if dental implants could be a good fit for you!
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