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How Implants Prevent Bone Loss
 Partial and full dentures are a fairly popular choice after tooth loss. They can help support the remaining teeth, preventing them from shifting. They often look as good as natural teeth, too. However, they are not always a lasting solution to preventing resorption. Dentures are designed to rest on your gums, so they do not include any kind of tooth root prosthesis and do not stimulate the jawbone. Because they barely touch your alveolar bone, they cannot prevent resorption. Regular use of dentures may also lead to a sagging appearance in your face and possible challenges with speech, as the lost bone makes it easier for them to slip and shift inside your mouth.The consequences of jawbone resorption are more than cosmetic. Here at Dallas Prosthodontics, we can help keep your jawbone healthy and prevent future complications. OsseointegrationDental implants play a crucial role in preventing bone loss through a process called osseointegration, where the implant fuses with the jawbone. When a natural tooth is lost, the bone that previously supported it is no longer stimulated during chewing. This lack of stimulation leads to bone resorption, where the bone begins to deteriorate and shrink over time. This is because the body believes the bone is no longer needed. When a dental implant is placed in the jawbone, it mimics the role of a natural tooth root. This artificial tooth root provides the necessary mechanical stimulation to the jawbone, just like a natural tooth. Over several months, the dental implant undergoes a process called osseointegration. During this period, the bone cells in the jawbone grow and adhere to the implant's surface, creating a solid and stable foundation. Once osseointegration is complete, the implant provides continuous stimulation to the jawbone every time you chew, talk, or perform other oral functions. This ongoing stimulation signals to the body that the bone is still in use and needed, preventing further bone loss. Dental implants, unlike traditional dentures or dental bridges, prevent the issue of bone loss by maintaining the integrity of the jawbone. This helps to maintain your facial structure, preventing the sunken appearance often associated with tooth loss and bone resorption. In essence, dental implants not only restore your ability to eat and speak but also ensure the long-term health and stability of your jawbone. Ridge AugmentationIf you are considering a dental implant procedure, and you already have sustained jawbone loss, you may want to consider ridge augmentation. A ridge augmentation is similar to other bone graft procedures. Bone is taken from another part of your body and placed on the area of the ridge that has deteriorated. Over time, this grafted bone fuses to the ridge and becomes a part of it. If you are having a tooth extracted, this can be done during the same visit. Once the bone graft has fully healed, which can take several months or more, it will be strong enough to support a dental implant. Implants Dallas ProsthodonticsDental implants can help with single tooth replacement and multiple tooth replacement. If you have missing teeth, or have further questions about dental implants, contact us to schedule an appointment. |
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