Dental Implants Can Stop Bone Loss
While engaging in normal activities like biting and chewing, the roots of the natural teeth stimulate the bone tissue that supports and surrounds them in the ridge of bone that lies atop the jaw. When the permanent teeth fall out or are extracted, this stimulus is removed, and the body begins to reabsorb the bone that is no longer being stimulated. As the bone resorbs, it can lead to additional tooth loss, which can lead to even more bone loss. This causes the facial structure to change and creates a sunken, aging appearance in the lower face, and it can lead to serious issues with hygiene and cause problems like headaches and TMJ pain. The only thoroughly effective way to restore stimulus to the bone and prevent bone loss from occurring is with dental implant treatment. Dental implants can stop bone loss, restoring the health of the jawbone and encouraging its continued health, and they provide the added benefit of being natural-looking, comfortable, and permanent.
Once a natural tooth has been removed or fallen out, approximately ¼ of the adjacent bone will deteriorate within the first year. Immediately replacing missing natural teeth with dental implants helps keep bone loss from occurring, thereby helping to maintain the appearance and shape of the face and jaw. When dental implant treatment takes longer to initiate, the bone may need to be restored before the implants can be safely placed. Dental implants are made of two or three different components, including a dental implant post, an artificial tooth known as an implant crown, and an attachment apparatus called an abutment; in some implants, the abutment and implant post are built together, while in others, the abutment is attached to the implant post once it has healed. The dental implant post mimics the role of the natural tooth root, providing stimulus to the bone while it supports the implant crown in its everyday function.
As the bone heals around an implant post, it fuses with the implant, creating a permanent, stable foundation through a process called osseointegration. This healing process is integral to the overall success of the implant, and when healing is successful and the implant has fully integrated, its presence in the bone continues to exercise and stimulate the surrounding healthy bone throughout its lifespan. When dental implants are placed shortly after a tooth is extracted, minimal, if any, bone loss may occur. When natural teeth have been missing for a longer period of time and bone loss is more significant, dentists may recommend bone augmentation procedures like bone grafts or tissue regeneration before dental implants can be placed. In some cases, dentists can strategically design dental implants to use the greatest amount of available healthy bone for support, which may prevent the need for bone grafts, though this will depend on the overall complexity of the case. Your dentist can consult with you about dental implants if you’re missing one or more teeth, and getting dental implants promptly can prevent a whole host of complications.