Have you experienced tooth loss? If so, we recommend scheduling an appointment with our Grand Rapids, MI, dental implant dentist, to discuss your next steps before more, if any, bone loss has occurred. Unlike other treatment options, only dental implants can replace both the teeth missing and their roots, effectively preserving bone density in the jaw.
Here’s what you need to know about dental implant placement and its role in preventing bone loss.
The human body is resourceful. As such, a missing tooth doesn’t go unnoticed. Once you lose a tooth, the surrounding jawbone no longer receives pressure when you chew and bite. This can trigger a process called bone resorption which causes the body to gradually absorb the minerals in your jaw so they may be used elsewhere.
Related Post → What Are My Tooth Replacement Options?
While this is incredibly efficient, it does have some undesirable effects. Namely, it causes the jaw to shrink and lose bone density over time. As the jaw shrinks, you may notice that your dentures need to be refitted more often. Your facial profile may also appear more sunken as the missing teeth and bone structure no longer help to fill your face out. That’s why replacing a tooth after extraction or decay is more than cosmetic, it’s critical for oral health.
The good news is that single-tooth dental implants can stop bone loss in its tracks, protecting your smile and wellbeing in the long run. Neighboring teeth also do not need to be altered. Instead, a titanium post is placed into the jaw where the tooth root used to be, and a custom crown is attached after healing. Because of their impressive stability and durability over time, implants have become one of the most popular tooth replacement options available.
A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth root that’s made out of titanium alloy. While dentures rest on top of the gums, a is surgically embedded in the jaw by our local dental implant dentist and acts as the foundation for the abutment (connector piece) and crown. Together, the three components give you the full function and appearance of a natural tooth.
The act of inserting the implant allows the pressure and stimulation from everyday activities like chewing and speaking to be transferred directly to the jawbone. This stimulation encourages the body to continue regenerating and maintaining the bone tissue, just as it would if a natural tooth were still present. As a result, the bone remains strong and stable, preserving both the functionality of the mouth and the structure of the face.
If it’s been a few months or years since you’ve lost a tooth, you may already have lost bone density in the jaw. That being said, you may still be a candidate for dental implants. In the case of significant bone loss, we will likely recommend you get a bone graft to supplement the tissue you already have. That way, you have a solid foundation going into the .
Bone grafting is a procedure that adds bone material to areas of the jaw where bone has been lost. This material can come from a donor or be synthetic. Once placed, the graft encourages new bone growth, eventually integrating with the existing jawbone. After the area treated has healed and sufficient bone mass has been restored, replacing teeth with dental implants can then be possible.
To truly determine if you’re a candidate for the procedure, you’ll need to schedule a dental implant consultation with Dr. Nichols. From there, he’ll be able to evaluate your smile and help you explore your treatment options.
Our , is accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment and learn if you’re a candidate for the dental implant procedure, please call Nichols Family Dentistry at (616) 333-8496. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
This blog post has been updated.
