Leaving tooth loss unaddressed can leave you at an oral health disadvantage. There are daily obstacles – it can be harder to eat, and it may interfere with how you talk – but there are larger concerns. When you lose teeth and do not seek a dental prosthetic, you face the prospect of losing bone mass in your jaw. This is because the roots of your teeth provide stimulation that encourages blood flow to the bone. When that stimulation is absent, your jaw loses nutrients, and can become depleted. Your appearance can suffer because of this, and you can lose important oral support. Unfortunately, just replacing a lost tooth will not help with this bone loss. However, you can bring back the stimulation by having a prosthetic supported by a dental implant.
The Added Advantage Of An Implant-Supported Prosthetic
There are several reasons your dentist would recommend counting on a dental implant to support a lost tooth. The superior stability makes it possible for you to bite and chew comfortably, and the presence of the implant can help limit movement of your neighboring teeth. Your jaw can benefit greatly from the presence of your implant, as it brings back the stimulation that keeps sufficient blood flow to the area.
Why Waiting To Replace A Lost Tooth Can Be A Problem
If you wait too long to receive a dental implant, you could run into complications. This is because that deterioration in your jaw can hurt your candidacy. Your oral health will be carefully studied before placement occurs; if there are worries you might not be a good candidate, your dentist can review available options that can help.
