The impact of tooth loss does not stop at your teeth, or how your smile is affected. Did you know that losing teeth can lead to deterioration in your jawbone? The roots of your teeth play a role in keeping your jawbone healthy. They create stimulation in the bone, which helps support blood flow, and the delivery of necessary nutrients. When that stimulation goes away, your jaw can deplete over time. This can make replacing a lost tooth more difficult, weaken your jaw, and hurt your appearance. One advantage you gain by replacing a lost tooth with a dental implant is that doing so can protect your jaw from this deterioration.
How A Dental Implant Can Help Protect You Against Jawbone Deterioration
A dental implant is placed directly in your jawbone, which will fuse to the unit. When you operate your jaw, that implant can stimulate it, and help maintain the delivery of nutrients. Other dental prosthetic types will not have this effect on your jaw.
Other Problems That Are Caused By Tooth Loss
Your teeth sitting next to a lost tooth face an increased risk for being lost. By being so close together, your teeth actually help keep each other secure. The necessary redistribution of work when you have to avoid an absence in your teeth can leave certain teeth undergoing disproportionate strain.
Taking Care Of Your Dental Implant
After your implant has healed, and had its replacement tooth fitted, it should be ready to operate like a natural tooth. You should care for it like a natural tooth, too, through regular brushing and flossing. If you worry that there is a problem with the implant, contact your dentist.
