Tooth loss is a serious issue that comes with many negative consequences. One of the problems caused by tooth loss that you may not have considered is the potential for bone loss in the jaw area. More than half of all Americans are missing at least one tooth, so this is an issue that touches many.
Tooth loss and bone loss are intrinsically tied to each other, but there are ways to prevent the latter if you’re dealing with the former. Here’s what you should know:
Why Bone Loss Occurs
Bone loss is very common in the cases of people who have recently lost one or more teeth, especially if that person lets the issue go untreated for too long. In the first year after losing a tooth, up to 25% of the surrounding bone is lost. It will continue to slowly wear away over time. Normally, your jawbone would be strengthened and preserved through the stimulus and pressure caused by chewing. But when the tooth is gone, you lose the ability to exert that pressure and the bone is reabsorbed into your body.
Tooth Replacement Options
When you lose one or more teeth, you have quite a few options for how to replace them. One of the simpler and more cost-effective options are dentures, which can be removed at will and can help you eat and appear as they you have a full set of teeth. Another option is a traditional bridge. But while both options will address tooth loss, neither do anything to address bone loss.
Dental Implants
If you want to truly prevent bone loss after losing one or more teeth, you’re going to need a dental implant. A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth that integrates into your jawbone and stabilizes it as well as your surrounding teeth. This will stimulate your jawbone, preventing it from receding as it would if the problem went unaddressed.
There are multiple different types of dental implants, depending on what your needs are. There are single implants, implant-supported bridges, implant-supported dentures, and the All-on-4 treatment concept, which can give patients a new set of teeth in as little as one day! Here at The Center for Implant Dentistry, we can provide you with any of these options. We offer free consultations for dental implants, complete with CT scans, and offer in-house financing. Cost shouldn’t stop you from having the smile you’ve dream of. Call 661-663-9600 today to schedule an appointment today!