A dental implant offers a lifelike and secure option for addressing tooth loss, whether you’ve lost one tooth or most of them. However, they also offer our Newhall, CA, patients additional benefits, such as the preservation of facial structure and jawbone integrity. How do dental implants help preserve facial structure?

The Placement and Restoration of a Dental Implant

First, to understand how they impact your jawbone tissue density, you need to know what makes them different from other tooth replacement options. Unlike bridges, which need dental crowns attached to natural teeth to stay in place, or dentures that require metal clasps or natural suction, we insert dental implants into the jawbone. After placement, they bond with the jawbone, a process known as osseointegration. Once the placement area heals, which takes about three to four months, we proceed with the restoration. For individual tooth replacement, we create and place a custom-made dental crown to address the visible portion of the tooth. If you’ve received more than one dental implant, we may attach a custom bridge or denture, restoring the health, function, and beauty of your smile.

Halting Loss of Jawbone Density

When we lose a tooth, the body takes notice and responds by suspending the flow of nutrients to the jawbone. Deprived of these essential nutrients, the jawbone tissue begins to break down. Over time, loss of jawbone density could mean further tooth loss and in some cases, the onset of an aged appearance, such as sunken cheeks or even a ptotic chin. However, since dental implants are created from titanium, which is biocompatible, the body recognizes them as natural roots. The flow of nutrients resumes and the growth of tissue is stimulated, which prevents further tooth loss and preserves the facial structure.

Do I Qualify?

We look at a number of different factors when prescribing implant dentistry. First, since you lose jawbone tissue as a result of tooth loss, we need to make sure there is enough stable tissue to support a new tooth. If not, then a bone grafting procedure may be needed to shore up the placement area. We will also look for the presence of gum disease. The advanced stage, known as periodontitis, could lead to adult tooth loss and implant failure, so treating the underlying issue may be necessary before we begin. If you have any questions about treating missing teeth, or about preserving your facial structure following tooth loss, then contact our team today.

Interested in Implant Dentistry?

If you have suffered one or more missing teeth, then talk to our team about implant-secured replacement options. To learn more about implant dentistry, schedule a consultation by calling Newhall Dental Arts in Newhall, CA, today at (661) 259-7760.