How Dental Implants Replace Lost Teeth

smiling middle aged woman outsideLosing one of your teeth can cause a significant impact on your ability to bite and properly chew. While a lost tooth can cause embarrassment at the new gap in your smile, the concerns of loss are much more than cosmetic. Your bite may become misaligned and place additional stress that accelerates wear and tear on remaining teeth. Surrounding teeth may shift and become loose as they move towards the new gap. These are not the only problems that occur from loss, but they are a few examples of why you should seek treatment and prioritize placing a restoration.  By meeting with your Prairie Village, KS dentist, we can discuss how treatments, such as placing a dental implant, can restore the appearance of a natural tooth and return your ability to properly bite.

The Cause Of Your Tooth Loss

Losing a tooth has many possible causes, some of which may be prevented through appropriate behavioral adjustment. Whenever tooth decay leads to a severe enough cavity or infection of the dental pulp, a full extraction may be the only suitable treatment. You may also experience loss from physical trauma, but the most common cause is advanced gum disease. Periodontal disease destroys the tissues that hold your teeth in place and can lead to total loss when left untreated. As you lose one tooth, the remaining teeth begin to become loose as they drift towards the gap in your smile.

Placing A Dental Implant

For those who qualify, your dentist can return the appearance of a full set of teeth with the placement of a dental implant. We will insert a titanium post directly into the jawbone that allows us to attach a restoration above the gumline. A dental crown may be attached to an abutment at the end of the post to return your ability to bite and chew while resembling a natural tooth. One of an implant’s most important functions is returning critical stimulation to the bone. When you lose a tooth, you lose the stimulative signal to your brain to provide vital nutrients for its continued health. As the signal leaves, your bone can begin to disintegrate because the brain thinks it is no longer needed. An implant transfers the force of biting from your restoration into the bone and restores the signal to your brain to provide sustenance.

Speak With Your Prairie Village, KS Dentist About Implant Dentistry!

By placing a dental implant, we are able to help patients who are experiencing the frustrations of tooth loss. An implant supports the health of your jawbone by restoring the stimulation of your bite. We can restore your smile, bite health, and general dental well-being through appropriate service. For more information on how we can help you, contact our Prairie Village, KS dentist’s office today at 913-901-8585.