When natural adult teeth are healthy, they have a good chance of lasting for life. They’re the strongest parts of your body, and they’re meant to bite and chew your food for as long as you need them to. This makes losing one or more adult teeth problematic for several different reasons. It’s typically caused by an underlying condition that can grow worse even after you’ve experienced tooth loss. Also, the loss itself can lead to several concerns with your immediate and long-term oral health.
The problems that lead up to it
Though healthy adult teeth have the potential to last for life, there are multiple conditions that could put them at risk of being lost or needing extraction at some point. The most common of these is severe periodontal disease, also known as periodontitis, which causes the extreme erosion of your gum tissues and jawbone structure. Losing one or more teeth to gum disease, or any other chronic oral health condition, isn’t the end-all of the problem. Before replacing the lost teeth, you may require personalized treatment to restore the healthy foundation of your smile.
The problems that result from it
The problems that cause tooth loss can lead to even more concerns for your oral health if not addressed properly. These concerns are multiplied by the effects of losing one or more teeth, as well, which can negatively impact nearly every other aspect of your oral health. For example, the balance of pressure when you bite and chew can be disrupted, which can lead to structural problems with the rest of your healthy, natural teeth. The empty sockets within your jawbone, where the roots of your teeth rested, can also begin to resorb, growing weaker and smaller over time.
The solution to replacing lost teeth
When tooth loss does occur, the good news is that many of the problems it can cause can be mitigated with the right tooth replacement option. For example, to address the issues resulting from the loss of your teeth roots, we may suggest replacing the lost tooth with a dental implant restoration. The implant post is biocompatible, and your jawbone structure will heal to its surface over time to make it a permanent part of your smile’s foundation.
Learn how to solve the problem of tooth loss
Tooth loss can often be a bigger problem than you might realize, and addressing it could require more than just replacing your lost tooth. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery in Santa Rosa, CA, today at 707-545-4625.