Your teeth play a critical role in your ability to eat, speak, and smile confidently. Unfortunately, tooth loss can detract from your daily quality of life because these once-basic tasks suddenly become much more challenging. Thankfully, your dentist can provide lifelike replacements with dentures or dental implants.
But which option is best? Although both come with many advantages, dental implants are the only replacement teeth that are embedded directly into your jawbone to keep it strong and healthy. If you’re debating the best way to rebuild your grin, continue reading to learn why dental implants are often preferred!
How Do Missing Teeth Affect My Jaw?
Did you know that according to dental experts, up to 25% of your jawbone density is lost in the first year after a tooth falls out? Many patients are surprised to learn that the roots of their teeth are responsible for maintaining a strong jawline. They stimulate new bone growth every time you bite down or chew which keeps it active and healthy. Not only does this ensure that it can serve as a firm foundation for your pearly whites, but it also helps preserve your facial structure.
How Can Replacement Teeth Protect My Jaw?
Dentures are the tried-and-true solution for rebuilding smiles after tooth loss. They restore some of your chewing power and serve as artificial teeth so that you can enunciate a variety of words and sounds to communicate. Plus, they can replace a few or an entire arch of missing teeth with a single prosthetic.
However, dentures rely on a firm suction against the gum tissue over the bony ridges in your mouth to remain in place all day. As your jawbone starts to thin from tooth loss, these structures begin to flatten. As they do, your restoration that once fit like a glove becomes destabilized and can slip out of place at inopportune times, like during a meal or conversation. Furthermore, the added pressure of supporting your dentures can speed up this process of degeneration. Over time, this can even lead to additional tooth loss- yikes!
Meanwhile, dental implants include a titanium rod that’s surgically placed in your jawbone to replace missing teeth. It functions like a root to generate new bone growth when you bite down to strengthen and support your jaw. Unlike dentures, they function as sturdy standalone structures that support your bone structure rather than detract from it.
Dental implants might be right for you if you’re looking for replacement teeth that look and function like the ones that went missing. The best way to learn whether you’re a good candidate is to contact your dentist today to book your consultation!
About the Author
Dr. Gabriel Nossa takes pride in helping people of all ages build and maintain healthy, beautiful smiles. He earned his D.M.D. from the University of Florida College of Dentistry, where he also completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency. He’s committed to ongoing educational opportunities from the Dawson and Pankey Institutes as well as the University of Floria, so you can trust that you’re receiving the most contemporary treatments. His family-friendly practice is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment so he can perform each step of the dental implant process in the office, including the surgery. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (352) 332-8133.