Our Blog:
Archive:
- 2013
- 2012
- October (5)
- Testing your Knowledge on the Facts and Myths of Thumb Sucking
- Understanding The Types Of Dental Implants And Restorations
- How Much Do You Really Know About Keeping Your Children's Teeth Healthy?
- Dental Implants: The Best Solution For Missing Teeth
- Maintaining A Proper Bite Can Keep You Looking Young
Tags
- veneers (5)
- smile makeover (5)
- cosmetic dentistry (17)
- common symptoms (5)
- snoring and sleep apnea (3)
- oral health (18)
- replacing teeth (2)
- dental implant (2)
- missing tooth (2)
- tooth wear (2)
- grinding (1)
- dental implants (12)
- root canal (3)
- sensitive teeth (2)
- bleeding gums (2)
- periodontal disease (2)
- gum disease (3)
- sinus pain (1)
- heart disease (1)
- teeth whitening (4)
- tooth decay (7)
- dental health tips (2)
- pediatric dentistry (3)
- bonding (1)
- dental injuries (1)
- chipped tooth (1)
- oral cancer (3)
- bridgework (2)
- oral hygiene (1)
- crowns (1)
- age one dental visit (1)
- first dental appointment (1)
- thumb sucking (1)
- dental hygiene (2)
- nutrition (1)
- sugar (1)
- denture (1)
- tongue scraper (1)
- bad breath (1)
- dentures (1)
- dry mouth (1)
- tooth colored fillings (1)
- dental fillings (1)
- bruxism (1)
- discolored teeth (1)
- bleaching (1)
- stained teeth (1)
- toothpaste (1)
Categories:
Most people think of bone as rock-solid, but it's actually a living tissue that's constantly changing. This has significant implications for your oral health, general health, and appearance — if you are one of the 70% of Americans missing at least one tooth.
Throughout the day, your top and bottom teeth make hundreds of fleeting contacts with each other. These small stresses are transmitted though the periodontal ligament (“peri” – around; “odont” – tooth) that supports each tooth in its socket like a hammock. Think of it as a gentle push on the hammock, which causes the tooth to gently bump the underlying bone. The bone then builds up in the spot that's receiving stress to counteract it. This constant remodeling of bone is what allows bone to stay healthy and strong.
When a tooth is lost, the bone does not receive that gentle stress. It reacts by literally melting away. Sometimes this happens fairly quickly — in a matter of months. After the tooth-supporting bone is lost, the jawbone itself begins the same process of deterioration. This could eventually change the shape of the face, as the distance from nose to chin can decrease — even if only a few back teeth are missing. The results aren't pretty. But the good news is, there's a way to prevent all this.
Dental implants, which function as substitute tooth roots, actually save underlying bone when teeth are lost. They do this because they are made of titanium, which fuses to the bone in which it's set, stabilizing it. The implant is topped by a realistic-looking crown, which replaces the part of the missing tooth that was visible in the mouth. Together, they look and function just as your natural tooth did.
If you are missing a lot of teeth, implants can also be used to anchor bridges or even removable dentures while providing that same bone-saving benefit. And when you consider that they are so durable they should never need replacement, implants are a great investment.
If you have any questions about dental implants, please contact us, or schedule an appointment for an implant consultation.
You can read more about this topic in the Dear Doctor magazine article “The Hidden Consequences of Losing Teeth.”