Teeth are rooted directly into the jawbone. The removal of a tooth leaves behind a now-empty socket. Without anything to fill that socket, the bone around it can start to die. That can affect the nearby teeth and make them more vulnerable. Dental implants, however, will replace a tooth, leading to the continued stimulation of the jawbone. Your Milford implant dentist, Dr. Mitchell I. Quintner, discusses what exactly happens to a bone with a missing tooth and how an implant can promote bone retention.
The Tooth-Jawbone Partnership
The teeth and the jawbone work together. The jawbone supports the teeth, giving them a strong, secure place to attach. In return, the teeth stimulate the jawbone. Because the jawbone is needed to keep teeth in place, the body stimulates and feeds it, but only as long as there are teeth present. When a tooth is missing, the body redirects nutrients away from the jaw. Without stimulation, the bone in the jaw begins to wither and die. That can affect the shape of your face and even the teeth around the empty socket. As the jawbone shrinks, the remaining teeth can shift around. This could lead to TMJ pain, as well as the loss of some other teeth.
Implants Save the Jawbone
Removable dentures might be a good cosmetic option for missing teeth, but they will not stimulate the jawbone. The best and most advanced way to insure that your jawbone remains healthy and strong is with a dental implant. Because they look and feel like real teeth, implants perform the same way real teeth do. Implants are placed into the socket left by missing teeth, so the body will continue to stimulate the jawbone in that area. There will no longer be a risk of jawbone death.
Consult Your Milford Dentist About Implants
Whether you need one tooth your entire arch replaced, Sensitive Care Dentistry can help. Some procedures can be performed in as little as one visit. Contact our 06460 implant dentistry office by calling (203) 878-6699 to schedule an appointment today. We welcome patients from Milford and all surrounding communities.