Patients with missing teeth can find permanent, effective tooth replacement treatment with dental implants. These fixtures restore oral function as well as improve the appearance of your smile.
You will also notice benefits for your jaw with this treatment. Dr. Jim Lassiter, a dentist in Milton, FL, describes how dental implants can preserve your jawbone health after tooth loss.
What Happens to Jawbone After Tooth Loss?
In healthy patients, the tooth root extends below the gumline to the jaw, stimulating the bone and keeping it strong. When an individual loses a tooth, the jaw is no longer stimulated without the tooth root.
In its absence, the jawbone begins to deteriorate. The patient might notice facial sagging and shifting of remaining teeth. Dentures and other less permanent tooth replacements do not treat this issue because they do not replace the missing tooth root.
How Do Dental Implants Help My Jaw?
Dental implants consist of a titanium post surgically placed into the jaw by a dentist. Once this heals, your dentist secures a prosthetic tooth to an abutment above the gumline attached to the post.
The post stimulates the jawbone just as the tooth root would, ceasing bone deterioration and encouraging regrowth of bone that may have already been lost. With this treatment, you can preserve facial structure and jaw alignment as well as restore oral capabilities that may have suffered after tooth loss.
Can My Jaw Support Dental Implants?
The titanium post in a dental implant requires a strong and healthy jawbone to provide a stable foundation. If you have lost too much bone in your jaw due to tooth loss, you might not be able to successfully receive a dental implant.
Your dentist might suggest a bone graft surgery to create more structure and stability in your jaw that may support an implant when it heals. Your dentist can evaluate your jawbone health with X-ray imaging that can be completed during a consultation appointment. They can go over which tooth replacement treatment options will best suit your unique dental needs.
Dental Implants Available in Milton, FL
Dr. Lassiter offers dental implants and other tooth replacement treatments to patients in Milton, FL. Our practice also specializes in restorative, cosmetic, and general dentistry for patients of all ages. To schedule a consultation or appointment with us, contact our office online or reach us by phone at 850.427.5891.