Benefits Of Replacing A Lost Tooth With A Dental Implant

Many people lose at least one permanent tooth in their lifetime. Although the loss of a tooth may seem to be purely cosmetic, that is not the case. The missing tooth can cause multiple oral health issues.

Still, adults who have suffered the loss of a tooth have many tooth-replacement options that they can choose from. One of the most beneficial options is a dental implant. Here are a few reasons why.

Bone Stimulation

The teeth do more than assist with speech and the breakdown of food. They also help the jawbones maintain proper density.

The dental roots are set deeply in the bones of the jaw and provide stimulation that helps to keep the jawbone thick and dense. The bite force that is received by the crowns of the teeth is transferred to the roots. Since the roots are in contact with the jawbone, the bone also receives the force. This force stimulates the production of new bone cells.

After the loss of a tooth, the stimulation at the site of the missing tooth stops. However, once a dental implant is placed in the bone of a jaw to replace the lost tooth, the implant effectively stimulates the bone, just as the natural tooth did.

It is best to replace the lost tooth with an implant as soon as possible. The bone shrinkage that occurs over time can become severe enough to cause the facial structure to change.

Prevention of Dental Shifting

The teeth that border a tooth help keep the tooth in its original position. Thus, once a tooth is missing, adjacent teeth have enough room to move. The migration of the teeth can cause a dental misalignment.

A dental implant fills the space left by the missing tooth to help hold adjacent teeth in place. If the implant is not installed, the teeth can shift progressively until the entire palate is misaligned. If the movement of the teeth is severe enough, orthodontic appliances, such as braces, may be needed to correct the crookedness of the teeth. 

Even if the misalignment is corrected, the movement of the teeth can recur if the space from the lost tooth is not promptly filled with a tooth-replacement device. A dental implant that is used to restore a lost tooth is placed and covered with a dental crown to restore all portions of the lost tooth.

For more information about the benefits associated with a dental implant, schedule an appointment with a dentist in your local area, such as at Oral Surgery Associates Inc.


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