The thing about tooth loss is that, even though it is permanent, the loss of one or more teeth doesn’t affect everyone the same. While some patients might find it devastating and are anxious to replace the tooth/teeth that they’ve lost, others might not consider missing teeth a significant concern. Unfortunately, losing a tooth is dramatic whether or not it influences your confidence, and the consequences of an incomplete smile can continue to affect you long after the tooth is gone. With dental implants, however, you can save your smile from the risks associated with tooth loss, and thereby preserve your healthy, natural smile for life.
Replacing Teeth Throughout History
Even ancient civilizations realized the cosmetic benefits of replacing lost teeth, and ancestors from Rome, Greece, and Egypt often crafted highly-artistic prosthetics made from gold, ivory, and other precious materials. However, as our knowledge of dental health and treatments has advanced, we now know that missing teeth are much more than just a cosmetic issue.
What Happens When Teeth Are Absent
When a tooth is lost, those around it can shift towards the newly-empty space as they try to take up the slack in your bite. Replacing the tooth with a bridge can help stop the shifting, but the jawbone underneath can still deteriorate and grow weak due to the loss of the tooth’s root. Over time, a weaker jawbone and subsequent dental health issues can seriously increase your risk of losing even more teeth in the future.
Dental Implants Help You Prevent Future Tooth Loss
Dental implants are small, prosthetic teeth roots that can be implanted into your jawbone when you’ve lost one or more teeth. The implant posts are crafted from biocompatible titanium, which your jawbone will fuse to as it heals. Replacing your lost teeth roots not only offers unmatched support for your dental crown, partial denture, or complete denture (depending on how many teeth you’ve lost); they also reestablish the presence of a root to reduce the risks of jawbone deterioration and further tooth loss.
ABOUT YOUR DOWNEY, CA, DENTISTS:
Dr. Hadis Reyhani, Dr. Ben Reyhani, and Dr. Pasha Hakimzadeh, DDS, provide a wealth of combined experience, along with innovative technology and personalized care, to help improve our patients’ dental health so they can enjoy smiling again. To schedule a consultation, call Downey Family Cosmetic Dentistry today at (562) 472-2433.
