Did you know that, from the moment you lose a tooth, long-term changes to your jawbone’s structure start occurring? Understanding the hows and whys of this process is one of the keys to helping you make an informed decision about tooth replacement.
Tooth Roots Strengthen the Jawbone
Your jawbone is similar to a muscle in that it requires regular exercise to remain strong. Every time you bite or chew, your tooth roots stimulate the surrounding bone, sending a message to your body to maintain that bone tissue. It's a "use it or lose it" situation.
When a tooth is missing, that stimulation stops. Without it, your body assumes the bone is no longer needed and begins to reabsorb it. This process is called bone resorption.
What Happens Without Tooth Replacement
When jawbone loss occurs, many patients experience noticeable changes, including:
- Without the presence of a tooth root, adjacent teeth may shift or tilt into the space
- As bone loss continues, facial structures can change, often leading to a sunken-in or prematurely aged appearance.
- Future dental work becomes more complicated as bone density decreases.
These changes often happen slowly over months and years, which is why you may not even realize there’s a problem until much later.
How Dental Implants Protect the Jawbone
Think of a dental implant as a titanium replacement root. When placed into the jaw, the implant fuses with the bone through a process called osseointegration. After healing, the implant stimulates the jawbone in the same way a natural tooth would.
The result? Your jawbone stays active, healthy, and maintains its density and structure.
Protecting Your Smile's Foundation
Your jawbone is the foundation for your entire smile, and a dental implant does just more than fill the gap. Most importantly, it helps maintain your oral health for the long term.
Ready to learn more about protecting your jawbone? Dr. Holly Baller, a dental implant dentist in Aurora, CO, would love to discuss the best tooth replacement option for your unique situation. Call us at (720) 653-3223 to schedule a consultation to get started.