If you lose a tooth, you might feel self-conscious about gaps in your smile or struggle with eating or speaking as easily as you once did. But you might not realize that missing teeth can put you in danger of additional oral health problems.
In particular, your jawbone structure might deteriorate without the support of a full set of teeth. This problem is not preventable without help from your dentist. Make sure you talk to your dentist as soon as you can about tooth replacement solutions like dental implants. Read on to learn more about how missing teeth may impact the health of your jaw, as well as how to protect it.
What Happens to the Jaw When You Lose a Tooth?
The average dental patient has a full set of teeth, and each tooth features a root that extends below the gumline to reach the jaw. The root provides stimulation to the jawbone, keeping it strong and healthy.
If a person loses one or more teeth, then the jawbone loses this stimulation. In its absence, the bone will weaken and deteriorate. This can result in shrinkage in the jaw size which might affect the structure and appearance of the face.
You can also see remaining teeth shift out of place, heightening their risk of falling out too. You cannot stop these changes in your dental health related to tooth loss without intervention from your dentist.
How Can I Protect My Jawbone After Tooth Loss?
To prevent jawbone loss, you will need to replace missing teeth with your dentist’s assistance. Specifically, you will want to choose a treatment that replaces teeth below the gumline like dental implants.
An implant features a titanium post anchor that a dentist surgically places into the jaw. The anchor fuses with the jawbone to establish a strong foundation for the prosthetic teeth. The anchor also provides stimulation to the jaw again, preventing its deterioration.
Removable tooth replacement options like dentures will replace teeth only above the gumline. If you want to protect your jaw in the wake of tooth loss, you should ask your dentist about your eligibility for dental implant treatment.
Can My Jaw Support Dental Implants?
Not all dental patients will qualify for implant dentistry, despite its clear oral health benefits. The success of the implant relies on the fusion process of the anchor to the patient’s jawbone. Therefore, a patient will require enough healthy jawbone for this process to take place.
If you lose too much jawbone structure in the wake of tooth loss, then you may not be able to sustain an implant. In this case, a dentist might recommend a bone graft that can add stability to the jaw and support the implant once healed.
If this is not feasible, you can discuss alternative tooth replacement solutions that can restore your oral health and maximize preventive dentistry. Schedule a dental consultation today to begin your tooth replacement journey.