Have you ever wondered why babies who don’t have teeth eat only liquid food? Do you know the importance of teeth to your general health? Every organ or body structure has a purpose, and your teeth are no exception.

Your teeth aids in the smooth process of digestion and if you lose any of your teeth it means chewing and biting of food is compromised. Digestion is not the only process affected by tooth loss, jawbone will deteriorate over time without stimulus from your teeth.

Tooth Loss

It is the process where a tooth detaches itself entirely from the jaw. Tooth loss affects both adults and children, but tooth loss of the milk teeth in children is a natural process. Tooth loss of a permanent tooth is a health concern since many body processes are affected.

When a tooth comes out the neighboring teeth of the lost tooth begins to move to close the gap left which eventually leads to teeth misalignment. The jawbone regenerates by being stimulated by the tooth attached to it but losing a tooth means the jawbone will start to deteriorate and wears out. Which leads to loss of facial structure.

Causes of Tooth Loss

Not everyone experiences tooth loss but for those who suffer from it can be distressing. Here are different causes for tooth/teeth loss.

Trauma

Accidents do happen, and sometimes your teeth are the ones to suffer injuries, and sometimes you lose a tooth or two. Accidents are unpredictable and hard to tell when or where it will happen. In this case, an individual is advised to replace the missing tooth/teeth to restore the dental structure.

Diseases

Dental diseases such as periodontal diseases are known to be a cause of tooth loss. Dental caries feeds on the tooth crown and weakens it which eventually leads to tooth loss. Such diseases are prevented by observing strict oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist.

Lifestyle

Smoking and alcoholism have been proven to affect the tooth structure and cause diseases that lead to tooth loss. Having a healthy lifestyle will ensure your teeth are kept healthy and protected from elements known to weaken them.

Medication

Medical treatments especially those used in the treatment of cancer and other chronic diseases tend to weaken the immune system. Compromising the immune system allows infections to thrive inside your body, and this includes dental diseases too.

Age

As people age, every part of their body also wears down. Not practicing good oral hygiene puts you at risk of losing your tooth because your dental structures are weaker from aging.

Dental Implants as a Treatment for Tooth Loss

A dental implant is the best remedy for tooth loss. It isn’t a new process since there are archaeological findings that show it started way back in the 300 BC. Dental implants are an artificial root made by a material accepted by the body with no side effects.

Dental implants are placed surgically into the jawbone. The health of your gums and jawbone will dictate the type of dental implant that can be used.

Are You the Right Candidate for Dental Implants?

It is vital you visit a dentist for a consultation so the dentist can see if you are a good candidate for dental implants. The dentist will take your medical history as well as do some physical examination to verify if you are healthy enough to handle the entire treatment process.

Different Types of Dental Implants

There are two major types of dental implants, and they are classified according to the way they are placed inside the gums. Endosteal is the standard most used process of implant procedure because of its high success rate.

Subperiosteal

The implant is placed just above the jawbone, and this is because the jawbone mass isn’t sufficient to hold the implant. The implant will then stimulate the growth of the bone which will grow and integrate with the implant. Osseointegration of the implant has been seen to take longer with this process.

Endosteal

It is carried out on a healthy jawbone that has enough mass to hold the implant in place. The implant is inserted inside the jawbone and then left to heal and osseointegration to take place. After months of healing, another surgery is done to expose the upper part of the implant, so the abutment can be attached. Once the abutment has been placed the permanent crown is attached the abutment.

Advantages of Dental Implants

Stops Bone Loss

The jawbone needs stimulation for regrowth to take place and this can only happen with the presence of a tooth. When a tooth is lost, it is crucial for a dental implant to be carried out to prevent the bone area where the tooth was lost from degenerating. A dental implant functions exactly like the real tooth root and stimulates the growth of new bone where a tooth was lost.

Prevents Misalignment

Whenever a tooth is lost the other teeth shift towards the gap left by a tooth to fill up space. When a dental implant is done on time, the other teeth will not shift, and the dental structure will not be affected.

A Permanent Solution to Tooth Loss

A dental implant can last up to a lifetime if taken care of properly. The titanium material used to make the dental implant is friendly to the human body and can integrate with the bone very well without any fears of side effects.

Easy to Maintain

Brushing and flossing aren’t compromised, and you can clean your teeth as usual. There are no special brushes for cleaning the artificial tooth as you can use the regular brush and toothpaste.

Convenient

Unlike other restorative dental procedures, dental implants are permanently fixed and don’t move or slip out of their position. The fear of being embarrassed should never arise, and you are free to live a normal stress-free life without hindrance.

Preserves the Facial Structures from Deformity

When the jawbone starts to wear down the face structure around the lost tooth starts to cave in making you have an older appearance. When a dental implant is done on time, the deteriorating process is prevented, and your facial structure preserved.

Lance Ogata, DDS is a Kahului dental implant restoration dentist. With 30 years of experience in the dental field and imaging technology such as digital X-rays and intraoral cameras, Dr. Ogata can create dental implant restorations that look and feel as natural as your surrounding teeth. Contact our office today to find out how we can help you achieve your perfect smile!