Life without all of your teeth can be an uphill battle at times; not only are your abilities to eat and speak greatly impacted, but you may also feel pretty reluctant to smile in public or express yourself! Fortunately, modern dentistry offers all kinds of options for replacing lost teeth, including dentures, which you might recognize, as well as dental implants, which have quickly risen in rank to become the “gold standard” of tooth replacement. Here’s a closer look at these options and how they have the potential to reverse some of the issues associated with missing teeth, like jawbone deterioration.
What Happens to the Jaw When Teeth Are Lost?
When teeth are lost, your smile is impacted in several ways other than appearance and functionality. Believe it or not, those areas of your jaw where teeth once resided can continually weaken and shrink, as they no longer receive any stimulation from the now-missing tooth roots. As years go by, this problem becomes worse and worse; the body continues to break down this bone, since it believes it is no longer needed; however, you should note that this deterioration begins within the first year of the tooth being lost.
Can Dentures Help with Tooth Loss?
Dentures are a tried-and-true form of tooth replacement, and when they’re worn consistently and properly, they should not lead to further jawbone loss. In fact, wearing dentures can make a minimal difference, since these restorations do provide a limited amount of stimulation to the jawbones and gums.
However, the challenge with dentures is that while they do apply pressure and stimulation, it often isn’t enough compared to what dental implants can offer. This means that ensuring a proper fit is crucial, since it’s what ensures you’re able to properly bite down and apply healthy pressure to your jaws. It’s also important to give your mouth a break often by removing your dentures at night, so that they do not cause irritation or sores.
What About Dental Implants?
Many patients consider dental implants because they do everything dentures can do and more—and this includes stimulating your jaw and preventing bone loss! Since the implants replace the roots of your teeth, they apply the same pressure to your jaw and encourage the bone tissue to remain healthy and full.
While it’s true that some patients need to undergo a supplemental bone graft before receiving dental implants, often due to years of bone loss, once healed, the implants can immediately begin providing a positive impact on the jaw.
During your consultation, your dentist will examine your smile, note the extent of your bone loss, and from there, work with you to develop a treatment plan that doesn’t just restore your smile, but also takes your jaw health into account. Though bone loss is a serious issue, it’s also one that can be helped!
About the Practice
Under the leadership of Dr. Steven Crovatto and Dr. Megan Edwards, our team has proudly served the dental needs of patients and families in Orange Park and the surrounding communities for several years. We offer a wide range of services, including many options for replacing missing teeth, such as dentures and dental implants, placed right here in our office. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our office to set up an appointment for yourself or a loved one, please reach out online or call today for more information or assistance. Telephone: (904) 272-0800.