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Posts for tag: Missing Teeth
Losing teeth will certainly disrupt your otherwise beautiful smile. It could also potentially affect your food choices and whether or not you receive proper nutrition.
But something else just as consequential could be happening beneath the surface of your gums—you could be losing bone. Significant bone loss in the jaw could adversely affect remaining teeth and facial structure, as well as limit your future restoration choices.
To understand why this occurs we must first consider what bone is: living, cellular tissue. Like the body's other cells, bone has a life cycle: cells form, live and eventually dissolve (or resorb), and are then replaced by new cells. Stimulation from forces generated during chewing traveling up through the tooth roots to the jawbone keep this cycle going at a healthy pace.
But when a tooth is missing, so is this stimulation. This could slow the replacement rate and cause bone volume to gradually decrease. The jawbone width could decrease by as much as 25% the first year alone and several millimeters in height after just a few years.
Although dentures (a popular and affordable choice) can restore lost function and appearance, they can't duplicate this needed stimulation. They even accelerate bone loss by irritating and creating compressive forces on the bony ridges and the gums they rest upon.
One restoration, however, can actually help stop bone loss and may even reverse it: dental implants. This happens because an implant's metal titanium post imbedded in the jawbone attracts bone cells to grow and adhere to its surface. This could actually increase bone density at the site.
To gain this advantage, it's best to obtain implants as soon as possible after tooth loss. If you allow bone loss to occur by waiting too long, there may not be enough to properly support an implant. Even then it might be possible to build up the diminished bone through grafting. But if that's not possible, we'll have to consider a different restoration.
To determine the condition of your bone after losing teeth, visit us for a complete examination. Afterward, we'll be able to discuss with you the best way to address both your overall dental health and your smile.
If you would like more information on treating missing teeth, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “The Hidden Consequences of Losing Teeth.”
Need a dental implant?
One of the dental implant's most important uses is replacing missing teeth. If you're interested, here at Lawrenceville Dental Implant Center And Periodontics, Drs. John Lu and Raul Figueroa, can help provide you with what you need. All you need to do is pay them a visit at their office in Lawrenceville, NJ.
More on Dental implants
Dental implants are made up of a titanium post that is surgically inserted into your jaws to replace the missing tooth's root. They create stability, strength and prevent shrinkage and weakening of your jawbone.
The dentist then seals your gums and allows 3 to 6 months for osseointegration to occur, which is when the titanium post integrates with the rest of the jawbone.
Afterwards, your Lawrenceville dentist re-opens the area above the titanium post, inserts a screw, places an abutment above the screw and secures a crown on top that matches the rest of your teeth.
Taking care of your dental implants
- Flossing at least once before bed
- Getting professional dental cleanings and checkups every six months to remove hardened plaque
- Brushing your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day, at least, while holding the brush at a 40-degree angle to clean hard-to-reach areas
- Avoiding tobacco, smoking, and drinking too much coffee and tea
Advantages of dental implants
Dental implants provide the following advantages:
- Restore one or more teeth roots
- Dental implants are fixed in place so they don't fall out of place
- They can last a lifetime if taken care of properly
- They restore bite and chewing function
Dental implants are a restorative procedure that has come a long way in the last 40 years, according to the American Dental Association. If you have more questions about dental implants, call your dentists in Lawrenceville, NJ, at (609) 896-0700.
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Lawrenceville Dental Implant Center And Periodontics, LLC
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
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