It is common for people who’ve lost teeth due to tooth decay, injuries, accidents or other reasons to shrug off. Some think that losing teeth is just a natural part of the aging process and therefore do nothing to replace the teeth they’re missing. However, there are many people who choose to replace missing teeth with dental implants because they’ve learned that it is important to fill those gaps in their smiles.
How Missing Teeth Can Alter Your Appearance
The root of a tooth stimulates the growth of bone tissue in the jaw to keep the jawbone strong and healthy. Under normal conditions, the jawbone constantly dissolves and rebuilds itself due to it being made up of living tissue. Stimulation from the contact of the upper and lower teeth during chewing helps keep the jawbone strong. But when a tooth is missing, the bone that normally surrounds and supports the tooth no longer receives the stimulation it needs to rebuild itself wherein it begins to deteriorate or diminish with time. This gradual deterioration of the jawbone can lead to noticeable changes in the appearance of the face. A person with missing teeth often has cheeks and lips that appear sunken to make them look considerably older than they actually are.
Las Vegas Dental Implants Can Help
A dental implant is a tooth root replacement made of titanium that is surgically implanted into the jawbone. Titanium is a metal that is able to osseointegrate or fuse with the bone. This process helps keep the jawbone healthy and strong wherein the bone does not shrink or deteriorate. So in essence, a dental implant prevents bone loss by fusing to and stabilizing the bone.
In the past, dentures and bridgework were the only way people dealt with missing teeth. But there are many disadvantages associated with these often bulky and removable tooth replacements. Nowadays, dental implants are considered the best option for replacing missing teeth as they don’t come with the many drawbacks of dentures and bridges.
Contact Us Today
If you would like to regain that youthful appearance you once had by replacing missing teeth with dental implants, please contact the Center for Oral Surgery of Las Vegas today!