Losing a tooth can have several consequences on your overall oral health. Many assume that if the gap is not significant or visible when they smile, it doesn't need to be addressed. Unfortunately, that interdental space can lead to several complications that may affect nearby teeth and your jawbone structure. This is where dental implants offer a long-term solution by restoring appearance, function, and stability.
Want to learn if getting prostheses for missing teeth can combat the loss of the remaining ones? Get valuable insights as you scroll below!
Dental Implants and Their Role in Oral Health
A dental implant is a small titanium post placed into the jaw that once had a natural root. The bone heals around this post through a process called osseointegration. Once healing is complete, your dentist adds a crown to complete the restoration. Unlike other options that rest on the gum surface, prosthetic roots become part of your mouth and a solid foundation.
One of the most significant risks after losing a tooth is the potential for neighboring teeth to shift. Without adequate support, surrounding teeth begin to move into the space and cause alignment issues and bite irregularities. These changes can lead to stress on the jaw joints and wear on the enamel of the remaining teeth. To keep adjacent teeth stable and in their proper position, you need dental implants.
Gum Health and Bone Preservation
When a tooth is lost, the bone underneath begins to deteriorate due to a lack of stimulation. This loss of bone can eventually affect the structure of your jaw and change your facial profile. Sometimes, the gum tissue in the area can also shrink, increasing sensitivity and exposure of the roots of nearby teeth. With a prosthetic root, the jawbone remains active and gains proper density, which further prevents both bone and gum loss.
Supporting Better Function and Comfort
Tooth gaps can affect how you speak, chew, and even swallow. When teeth are missing, pressure is unevenly distributed, which may cause more wear and tear on surrounding teeth. This imbalance increases the risk of damage or total tooth loss in the future. Dental Implants allow your mouth to function the way it was meant to with natural teeth. You can eat and speak comfortably without putting in extra stress.
Why Timely Intervention Matters to Prevent Tooth Loss?
Choosing to replace a missing tooth sooner rather than later can help achieve an aesthetically pleasing smile. Waiting can lead to more complications that may require additional dental procedures. Once the bone has deteriorated past a certain point, it becomes more difficult to place an implant without additional preparation. To avoid the need for more extensive treatment later on, the best approach is to opt for dental implants.
Replacing a missing tooth is necessary to preserve bone and gum tissue, keeping other teeth properly aligned. If you have lost one tooth or most teeth in the arch, discuss your options with our implant specialist.
For patients seeking dental implants in Tigard and Portland, Progressive Periodontics provides a range of restorative options tailored to individual needs. Contact us today to combat ongoing and future issues related to tooth loss.
