When you experience tooth loss, you might not need a reminder every day that it’s occurred. Anytime you smile, speak, eat, or brush and floss your teeth, you’ll likely be reminded that there’s an empty space where a healthy, natural tooth used to rest. However, just because you realize the loss of the tooth doesn’t mean you can easily recognize the consequences of it, especially those that can take time before they become noticeable. The greatest value in dental implants is that they can help you address all of those consequences with optimal results for your oral health, all by mimicking the roots of your lost teeth.
The different effects of tooth loss
Your oral health is complex, and every single tooth has a greater impact on it than you might realize. The visible portion of a tooth, known as its crown, is obviously responsible for giving your smile its full, healthy appearance. It’s also the part of your tooth that’s responsible for biting and chewing your food, and offering support to the tooth crowns closest to it. The roots of your teeth hold their crowns steady as they do their jobs, and also provide support to the jawbone that holds your teeth in place. Losing a tooth means losing its crown and root, and the effects of the loss can be felt in the responsibilities of both.
What dental implants accomplish
Of the many different options that exist for replacing lost teeth, dental implants stand apart as the only tailor-made solution for mimicking the roots of your lost teeth. Made from biocompatible titanium, the small posts are inserted into your jawbone and become permanently held in place as the bone heals to their surfaces. This helps them recreate the support that roots provide your teeth by offering similar support for your custom restoration. It also gives your replacement teeth the ability to interact with your jawbone the way your healthy, natural teeth roots are meant to.
How this impacts your long-term oral health
With the support of root-like anchors, your implant-supported dental restoration will fit and perform better than if it relied on more traditional support systems. Yet, the improved comfort and stability are only part of the benefits that dental implants provide. More importantly, they also help preserve the health and integrity of your jawbone, which can be significantly impacted by the loss of your teeth roots.
Address your tooth loss with dental implants
How you choose to address your tooth loss can have a huge impact on the future quality of your oral health. To learn more about the value of dental implants, schedule a consultation by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery in Santa Rosa, CA, today at 707-545-4625.