Losing a tooth as an adult can make a big difference on your smile’s appearance, as well as taking a toll on your abilities to chew, bite, and even speak. A missing tooth can also lead to a loss of bone density in the jawbone supporting your teeth. This loss of bone density can change the structure of your jaw, which can endanger the remaining teeth in your mouth and any existing prosthetic dentistry within your smile. Bone loss can even cause your dentures to fit incorrectly, if you have them. An implant provides much needed support for a restoration, but it can also help to prevent bone loss.
Defending Against Bone Loss
Without an implant or the natural roots of the tooth, the body believes that the bone is no longer important. When the body believes that the jawbone is no longer important, it stops sending necessary minerals to maintain its density. The body also begins to strip away vital minerals from the jawbone resulting in a loss of density. This bone loss can lead to a softening and reshaping of the jaw. A dental implant will cause the jawbone to grow and fuse around it, which will make the body believe that it still needs the important minerals.
What Role Does an Implant Play?
A dental implant is a biocompatible titanium post that acts as a replacement for the roots of the tooth. The implant is precisely placed to withstand pressures from chewing, biting, and speaking. The implant will support a prosthetic restoration that will act like the tooth. A restoration such as a crown, bridge, or dentures can be supported by the implant. Options like All-On-4® implant dentures that consists of a full or partial set of dentures being supported by just four implants. This allows for several teeth to be restored by fewer implants.
Dental implants can provide important support to your smile.
Ask Dr. Carmona if dental implants are right for your smile. To schedule a consultation with Austin Prosthodontics in Austin, TX, call 512-250-9444. We also proudly welcome patients from Cedar Park, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Leander, and all surrounding Texas communities.
