If you’re currently missing teeth, there are plenty of choices out there that can help you. Dentures, dental bridges, and dental implants are all excellent methods of replacing teeth, and each of them serves a different kind of patient. When trying to pick between these procedures, there’s a lot to consider.
One is bone loss, which is an issue that patients who are missing teeth often have to deal with. It’s also something that only some kinds of tooth replacement address. If you want to know more about this issue, and which style of tooth replacement can help you, here’s some information that you might find useful.
Why Is Bone Loss an Issue?
The body is incredibly good at allocating its limited nutrients where they’re needed most. As a part of this process, nutrients are sent away from areas that are unused and are sent elsewhere.
This can unfortunately be a little bit of a problem when it comes to tooth loss. The area of the jaw that once held your tooth is no longer being used, which means that the jawbone receives fewer nutrients. Over time, this will cause it to shrink.
Jawbone loss can have a negative impact on your appearance, making you look much older and creating misalignment in the surrounding teeth.
What Kind of Tooth Replacement Deals with Bone Loss?
Dentures and dental bridges are capable of replacing teeth very effectively, but do absolutely nothing to prevent bone loss. This is the exclusive domain of dental implants.
Implants can stimulate the jaw, causing the body to return nutrients to the bone. This effectively mitigates the issue of bone loss.
What If I’m Missing Many of my Teeth?
That said, when people think of dental implants, they often picture one metal rod connected to a single fake tooth. This might make you wonder what you ought to do if you want to keep your jaw and replace many teeth across the mouth.
You should know that dental implants can also be used in association with restorations other than dental crowns; implant bridges and implant dentures are both viable options for patients, affording you incredible coverage as well as the benefits of dental implants.
If you’re curious about whether any of these treatments are possible for you, talk to a dentist. They’ll be able to give you much more information about these procedures and which tooth replacement option is right for you.
About the Author
Dr. Jodi Meadvin knows that dentistry can be difficult to navigate on your own, which is why she is proud to be a steadfast partner in her patient’s oral health journey. Whether you’re coming to her for complex restorative care or just a little bit of education, she is more than happy to help! Dr. Meadvin received her Doctor of Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and is a member of the Faculty Club at Spear Education.
If you have any questions about tooth replacement, she can be reached at her website or by phone at (856) 428-8822.