When you are missing teeth you may focus on how it affects your appearance but did you know that it can affect the overall structure of your jaw over time? Our dentists in Fort St. John share some information about preventing bone loss and how dental implants can help protect the density of your jaw bone.
Your appearance isn't the only thing that your missing teeth can affect. When you are missing teeth it can cause a loss of bone density as your jaw bone begins to deteriorate. One way this can be resolved and prevented is with bone grafting and dental implant surgery. That said, when it comes to deciding whether to get dental implants, time is of the essence as continuing bone deterioration is a serious issue for your oral and overall health.
How Missing Teeth Can Cause Bone Loss
It is recommended to replace missing teeth as soon as possible, as continuing bone deterioration occurs. Similar to other bones in the body, your jawbone contains living tissue with cells that are created. These grow, eventually wear out and, in a healthy jaw, are replaced with new cells.
The normal process of eating and chewing plays a critical role in this growth cycle; as we chew, the force travels through our tooth roots to stimulate bone growth in the jaw. But with a missing tooth, this process is disrupted and the stimulus ends.
Over time, bone cells are not replaced at an adequate rate and the bone gradually loses volume. Not only that, but bone loss can continue beyond the immediate bone beneath the tooth, impacting the rest of the jawbone. This bone loss can affect the density of the jaw bone, making it weaker and more susceptible to fractures.
Can Dental Implants Help To Prevent Bone Loss and Restore Your Smile?
While the procedure may not be right for every patient, many people may benefit from the use of bone grafting and dental implants to help restore the function of their teeth and jaw. A small titanium post will be implanted in your jaw to replace the root of your missing tooth, and later be capped with a tooth replacement such as a crown or bridge. As it heals, new bone cells will grow around it and adhere to its surface. As the new cells develop and grow in your jaw bone will thicken and become larger and stronger.
Will You Require a Bone Grafting Procedure With Dental Implants?
A bone grafting procedure may be required to stimulate bone growth and increase bone density in the jaw before your dentist can consider fitting you with a dental implant.
Depending on your circumstances, a bone grafting procedure may be critical to giving you enough bone density for the dental implant to correctly fuse together inside the jaw. After the bone graft has healed, dental implants are placed and a process called osseointegration occurs to allow the titanium implant to fuse with the jaw.
It is important to look into tooth replacement options as early as possible if you are missing a tooth before bone loss begins. Ask your dentist at Fort St. John Dental Clinic whether this option will be effective for you.