Tooth loss is a prevalent problem in the United States. The American College of Prosthodontics reports that at least 120 million people are missing at least one tooth while another 36 million do not have any natural teeth remaining. With each tooth playing a vital role in your oral health and functions, your quality of life will significantly decline when even one is lost. Not only will you develop difficulty chewing foods, speaking clearly, and lose your confidence, but there is a larger issue brewing beneath the surface. Untreated tooth loss will cause your jawbone’s density to decline; however, you now have an option to preserve it. Dental implants in Frisco will restore your smile while also preventing bone loss in the jaw.
Hidden Consequences of Tooth Loss
The roots of your teeth have an important role. Not only are they necessary for keeping your teeth securely in place, but they also stimulate the jawbone to encourage new bone growth. When a tooth is lost, that area is no longer stimulated, causing it to lose density because the missing root will no longer allow the tooth’s socket to remodel and rebuild.
This lack of stimulation will cause the alveolar bone to lose its width, height, and volume. In fact, within the first year of tooth loss, you can lose as much as 25% of the bone’s width while it will decrease by 4 millimeters in height within 5 years.
As this occurs, your remaining natural teeth will lose support, causing them to shift toward the open space. This will cause them to become misaligned, making them more difficult to clean. This increases your risk for tooth decay and gum disease; however, the complications do not stop there. Eventually, additional tooth loss will likely occur.
Preserve Your Bone Density
Dental implants are the only prosthetic to preserve your bone density because it replaces the tooth root. Your periodontist in Frisco will surgically place a dental implant post into the jawbone, which is made from a biocompatible material. As a result, your body will naturally accept it by encouraging new bone growth. Over the next several months, your jawbone will fuse to the post, restoring your jawbone’s density while also providing a secure and stable foundation for the replacement tooth.
Due to the process and materials used for the procedure, dental implants offer over a 95% 10-year success rate; however, their success relies on the body’s ability to fuse to the post. To ensure long-term results, you may need a bone grafting procedure to enhance the density of the jawbone prior to having the dental implant placed.
Restore Your Smile Today
If you are living with the challenges of tooth loss, single tooth implants in Frisco can be the solution for you. No matter if you are missing one tooth or all your teeth, you can restore your smile with dental implants.
About Dr. Zachary Carnow
Dr. Zachary Carnow is a board-certified periodontist who specializes in dental implants. Due to his advanced training and qualifications, he can restore your confidence and oral health. Contact Frisco Periodontics and Dental Implants today to see if dental implants are right for you.