The Effects of Missing Teeth Here at Implant & Periodontal Associates NW in Richland in Richland, WA, we want all of our patients to have a healthy mouth, which is why we offer dental implants to those who have experienced tooth loss or removal. When you lose a tooth, there are quite a few issues that can arise that can easily end up leading to further tooth loss. One of the biggest symptoms of tooth loss is bone loss in the jaw. Your teeth depend on a healthy jawbone for the support they need to stay healthy and productive. Fortunately, dental implants can help to prevent and even reverse the effects of bone loss in the jaw due to tooth loss.Tooth Loss can Affect the Entire MouthTooth loss is often followed by quite a few negative health issues. One of the most dangerous oral health issues that can arise following tooth loss is bone loss in the jaw. How does the jaw lose bone density following tooth loss?The jawbone is like any other part of the body; it requires a certain amount of use to keep it healthy and strong. When any part of the body stops being used with regularity or ceases to receive the feedback it needs, it will begin to atrophy. Atrophy means, "to waste away." In the case of the jawbone, it relies on the teeth to provide continual feedback in the form of bumping and movement while you speak, eat, and hold your jaw closed during the day. When a tooth is lost, the bone below that tooth loses the feedback that it needs, and in time it will begin to waste away. In some cases, it may mean that you will need a bone graft before a dental implant can be used to replace a missing tooth. How does one missing tooth affect the rest of my teeth?As the bone in your jaw diminishes in density and mass, the neighboring teeth risk becoming affected. These neighboring teeth depend on a healthy jawbone so that they can continue helping you to eat and speak. Eventually, if you lose enough bone in your jaw, the surrounding teeth will become loose and fail. This can start a chain reaction where more teeth are lost. At Implant & Periodontal Associates NW in Richland, our goal is to replace missing teeth with dental implants that can improve your quality of life and stop bone loss in its tracks. Dental Implants Stop Bone Loss in the JawDental implants are made out of titanium, which is a biocompatible material that the body accepts and can heal around. When we surgically place a dental implant in your jawbone, it will begin healing around the implant in a process known as osseointegration. Once the healing process is complete, you will have a fully functioning dental implant that you can use in all the same ways you can use a natural tooth. As a result, your jawbone regains the stimulus that it lost when you lost the tooth, and the bone in your jaw is consistently encouraged to stay healthy and strong. Schedule Your Dental Implant ConsultationIf you would like to learn more about dental implants, call us today at (509) 542-9111 to schedule a no-obligation consultation. We are more than happy to answer any of your questions and are looking forward to seeing you at our Richland dental practice. |
Our Convenient LocationImplant & Periodontal Associates NW in Richland140 Gage Boulevard Richland, WA 99352-8916 |
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