We don’t want tooth loss to cause issues with the health, beauty, and stability of your smile. Instead, we want to offer a replacement option that looks and functions like natural teeth. In today’s blog, your Richardson, TX, dentist talks about how we handle minor and severe tooth loss with implant dentistry.
The Causes and Risks of Tooth Loss
We could suffer the loss of our natural teeth due to a number of different factors. For example, a serious cavity or infection could mean the tooth is lost or that extraction is needed to prevent the spread of infection. An injury or accident to the face or jaw could also lead to missing teeth. The most common factor behind adult tooth loss is gum disease, or more accurately, the advanced stage known as periodontitis.
When we lose teeth, this could complicate how we eat and speak. The stress on your jaw joints could make the onset of TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding) more likely. You could feel uncomfortable in social situations! But the most severe complication is the loss of mass and density in the jaw, which occurs when the body stops sending key nutrients to the jaw around the missing root. This causes an older appearance and leads to further tooth loss! But we can combat these complications with the placement of dental implants.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is a small post that looks like a screw and is made from biocompatible titanium, which the body accepts as natural root structure. This enables the post to bond with the jaw and last for decades to come, possibly a lifetime. For an individual one, once we secure the post at the right angle, position, and depth, our team will next attach an abutment that extends above the gum line. The final step is to attach a custom crown that looks natural and provides a durable chewing surface. The implant then stimulates the growth of bone structure to keep your smile intact!
All-On-Four
If you have lost most or all of your teeth, then our team could help with All-On-Four. With just four posts per arch, we will be able to support a full set of dentures! Not only that, but we can place them and attach a denture in only one visit. If you have any questions about how we secure a new tooth or even a new smile with dental implants, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Implant Dentistry?
We would like to help you enjoy a full smile again, with results designed to truly last. To receive lifelike replacement for your missing teeth, you can call our Richardson, TX, dental office at 972.231.5376.
