Your teeth are actually the best preservation system for your jawbone. There are a number of things that can lead to bone loss, especially in your jaw bone as you age. Did you know that missing teeth can lead to bone loss in your jaw bone? Tooth loss promotes erosion and weakening of the jaw bone. With even one missing tooth, gradual jaw bone deterioration can occur, resulting in the possibility of additional tooth loss. It is important to realize that a missing tooth may lead to bigger problems than an unsightly smile or chewing trouble.
One consequence of multiple missing teeth is atrophy of the jawbone. Facial atrophy occurs when your facial features begin shrinking or appear sunken. Facial atrophy can cause premature aging and unattractive facial irregularities. Dentures, partial dentures and bridges may be a good solution for missing teeth; unfortunately these forms of dental prosthesis do not provide a solution for jawbone deterioration.
On the other hand, dental implants are anchored directly into the jawbone, supporting the bone. Different than dentures or partials, dental implants can actually help eliminate bone erosion and bone loss. Through a fusion type process called osseointegration, dental implants secure themselves to the jaw bone, just like a natural tooth. Dental implants have an advantage over dentures because they will aid in maintaining jawbone support and stability.
Dental implants are a viable long term solution for missing teeth, offering very few negative side effects, while promoting a remarkable 95%+ success rate. Dental implants may be the best way to help preserve your jaw bone and prevent bone loss from missing teeth.
