Patients who experience tooth loss may need to get treatment such as dental implants or a conventional dental bridge or denture. Tooth loss is most commonly caused by oral diseases, such as extensive decay or periodontal disease, or due to an injury or other damage to the tooth that is so severe that the tooth cannot be saved.
Many cases of tooth loss may be preventable. For example, good oral hygiene and professional dental care can reduce your risk of tooth loss due to oral diseases. Wearing adequate protective gear during contact sports, such as a custom-crafted mouthguard, can cut your chances of suffering a tooth-destroying injury.
However, if you still experience tooth loss despite taking precautions, you may want to meet with an oral surgeon to learn more about dental implants as a long-term tooth replacement solution. Dental implants are essentially artificial tooth roots. These small titanium cylinders are biocompatible. That means that the surrounding jaw bone can form a strong bond with dental implants. That process – osseointegration – leaves the dental implant as a permanent fixture in the jaw.
In replacing the missing tooth’s root, a dental implant performs a number of important functions. It helps to stabilize the jaw, which will erode after tooth loss if no root-like structure is available to serve as an anchor. Additionally, dental implants help to make the appliance more secure. Because an implant-supported prosthetic is physically linked with the jaw, it will remain in place. In contrast, conventional appliances may slip out of place. Dental implants also help patients preserve chewing function after tooth loss. Again, the bond between bone and implant helps the prosthetic tolerate strong forces necessary to process food of all textures.
Ideally, you can take steps to prevent tooth loss so that you won’t need to pursue a treatment such as dental implant placement. However, if you do experience this outcome, explore your treatment options as soon as possible to improve your chances of a positive result.
Contact our team at Oral Surgery Associates of North Texas today!
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