The harm of losing one of your teeth goes far beyond the change in your appearance. Tooth loss can impact the function of your bite and create future problems with your overall oral health. At mealtime, the gap in your grin can cause you to strain your jaw muscles as you shift your bite around the missing area. The loss of the tooth removes support to neighboring teeth that once held them firmly in place, causing them to become loose. These problems continue to worsen the longer the gap is left untreated.
Dental implants can address the stress and frustration of losing your teeth through restorative treatment. At our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office, we offer a solution that replaces the visual part of the tooth above the gumline while anchoring it into your jawbone for sturdy support.
Dental Implants Can Replace Missing Teeth
In addition to improving your smile’s cosmetic appearance, a dental implant addresses functional problems with your bite and jawbone health. When we experience tooth loss, our jawbone begins to lose density because it is no longer stimulated by daily chewing. Our brains rely upon signals from stimulation to know to send valuable resources that keep the bone dense. When the signal disappears, the brain thinks these resources are no longer needed. As the bone becomes smaller, the remaining teeth loosen and can potentially fall out as well. To prevent further loss, your dentist may advise placing a post into the jaw that mimics a natural tooth’s root and returns bone stimulation. After you heal from the initial post placement, the dentist can attach a restoration above your gumline. A dental crown can blend in seamlessly with your remaining natural teeth and begin transferring bite force through the post to properly maintain jawbone density.
Maintaining Oral Health After Your Smile Is Restored
After you heal from your implant placement, your dentist will continue monitoring the status of the restoration at your regularly scheduled checkup and cleaning appointments. Frequent meetings allow your dentist to detect concerns before they become more severe, so strive for perfect attendance! You will protect against possible additional tooth loss by adhering to a daily brushing and flossing routine that maximizes oral health at home in between dental visits. This combination of restoration and preservation can proactively maintain your teeth for years to come.
Contact Your Ankeny, IA Dentist And Discover The Benefits Of A Tooth Implant!
Dental implants can help you regain confidence in your smile. This approach to prosthetic restoration returns crucial stimulation to your jaw and allows the placement of a dental crown which simulates the look and function of the original tooth. For more information on receiving this solution, schedule an appointment with your Ankeny, IA dentist at 515-207-6182. We also gladly serve patients who live in Alleman, Elkhart, Bondurant, and other surrounding communities.
