01 Oct How Dental Implants Preserve Your Jawbone
Dental implants are easily the most popular tooth replacement option. They’re a far more permanent solution compared to bridges or dentures, and they look and function just like natural teeth. But did you know that they also help prevent bone loss in the jaw? We explain how dental implants can preserve jawbone density, preventing further tooth loss and preserving the shape of your face.
How Tooth Loss and Jawbone Loss Are Connected
Our teeth do a lot more than help us chew up our food. They also help us make sounds, keep the other teeth in place, and maintain jawbone density. Whenever we chew or bite, our teeth send pressure through the tooth root and into the jawbone. This pressure helps to stimulate the jaw and encourages it to strengthen itself and the surrounding muscles.
Without this stimulation, the jawbones and muscles will start to degrade. This process (known as bone resorption), gradually changes the shape of your face and causes the “sunken” appearance associated with missing teeth.
This is also why having missing teeth makes it more likely that you will lose more teeth in the future. Bone resorption weakens your jaw, making it easier for infections to spread to your other teeth. This lack of support can also make chewing painful, and cause “loose” teeth as well as other oral health problems.
How Dental Implants Can Preserve Your Jawbone Density
Unlike crowns or removable dentures, dental implants preserve your jawbone by mimicking the function of the tooth root. The metal implant post fuses with the jawbone in a process called osseointegration. The implant becomes part of your jaw structure, stimulating the bone when you bite or chew just like a natural tooth does.
Because dental implants stimulate bone growth, they prevent the deterioration caused by missing teeth. They preserve jawbone density, preventing further tooth loss as well as changes to the shape of your face. This is why implant-supported dentures are superior to removable dentures. Not only do they make it easier to speak and eat normally, they also preserve the structure of your face, preventing that “sunken” look.
How to Maintain Jaw Strength With Dental Implants
Luckily, maintaining your jawline and promoting bone growth is easy. All you need to do is use your dental implants exactly the way they’re meant to be used—as teeth! There are no fancy exercises or special medications you need to take. By chewing, biting, and speaking you are putting the right amount of pressure on your jawbone to stimulate growth.
You’ll also need to take care of your implants just like natural teeth, by brushing and flossing every day. And you may need to wear a mouthguard at night if you have bruxism. Grinding or clenching your teeth is dangerous for both natural and man-made dental structures. It can lead to cracked teeth, crowns, or dentures, as well as a painfully misaligned jaw.
Pressure-Free Dental Care in Prescott, Arizona
At Hicks Dental Group, we believe in helping our patients choose the tooth replacement option that is best for their budget and their lifestyle. That’s why we offer dental implants, bridges, removable dentures, and denture-supported implants. Our highly trained dentists can help you weigh your options and decide if implants are right for you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Images used under creative commons licence – commercial use (9/30/24). Photo by Peter Kasprzyk on Unsplash.