Dental Implants Don't Just Look Natural, They Can Actually Save Your Jawbone

Losing a tooth to a severe cavity that just can't be filled or a bad enough crack where there is no choice other than to extract it can be devastating to some people. Many don't like the look of a missing tooth, especially if it's in the front portion of their mouth, and it also can prevent you from enjoying your food.

While there are many options to consider on replacing the lost tooth, such as dentures or bridges, dental implants are usually the best option. They are extremely durable, natural-looking, and will let you chew the foods you love. There is one other reason, and it's perhaps the most important one of all – they can actually save your jawbone.

Here are a few reasons why. 

Preservation of the Jawbone Shape

When you lose teeth, even a single one, the jawbone may destabilize in that area. Your teeth can shift either further apart or even closer together depending on where the missing tooth was located along the jawbone. If your teeth begin to shift too much, it won't just cause a large gap between existing teeth, but your jawbone can become misshapen as well.

Teeth help to support the shape of the jawbone, just as the jawbone provides a solid foundation for your teeth. Once the jawbone moves, it can give your face an unnatural and even sunken-in look. Dental implants replace the lost tooth, therefore preventing any movement of the surrounding teeth and keeping the jawbone intact.

Prevents Jawbone Shrinkage

When you lose teeth, you may find that your jawbone will begin to shrink over time in the area of the lost teeth. If you have had all your teeth pulled and have worn dentures for some period of time, you will really notice bone loss in your jaw. This can actually make wearing dentures or bridges uncomfortable and make dentures move and slip when you talk or eat.

Dental implants prevent the jawbone from shrinking because it acts like the lost teeth would. The jawbone will grow around the implant and help to support the structure.

Prevents Jaw Weakness

It's not just the shape or bone density of the jawbone that you need to worry about when you lose teeth. In fact, when you lose a tooth or several teeth, the jawbone will actually weaken over time. If you wear dentures or have bridges, this will help you to eat, and you might feel more comfortable in public with them, but it won't help prevent your jaw from weakening.

Dental implants will help prevent jaw weakness because unlike dentures or bridges they are permanently fixed into the jawbone and acts like regular teeth.

Share