These days, losing teeth isn’t the insurmountable issue that it may have been several decades ago. Replacing lost teeth seems simple enough in theory, but given the scope of responsibilities that your teeth endure, how you replace them (and with what) is a vital science that has continued to improve over the years. Whether you’ve lost one, a few, most, or all of your teeth, a lifelike, custom-fitted dental prosthetic can help restore your mouth’s ability to bite, chew, and speak, while restoring its beautiful visage to one you can be proud of again. Today, however, we know that there is much more to tooth loss than what traditional dental prosthetics are able to address. Your Allen implant dentist, Dr. Marco Cueva, explains the now-well-known consequences of tooth loss, and what it can mean for your oral health if not addressed promptly.
A Glimpse Underneath the Surface
The part of your tooth that extends above your gums, called the crown, is only half of a healthy human tooth. The rest of it, called the root(s), continues underneath your gum line and is embedded into your jawbone, which holds your tooth steady and nourishes it through its root(s). The effects of one or more lost tooth roots are more subtle than the effects of a lost crown, and replacing only the upper portions of lost teeth cannot help protect against those effects.
The Importance of Tooth Roots
Aside from sturdily holding your teeth in place, the relationship between healthy tooth roots and a healthy jawbone is a dynamic one. Stimulation from biting and chewing allows your roots to signal your body to send your jawbone nutrients. Though you may still be able to bite and chew after losing one or two teeth, the stimulation of their roots remains lost, and your jawbone can suffer from the resulting nutrient deficiency. In time, jawbone deterioration can take away your ability to retain the rest of your natural teeth, and further tooth loss can follow unless treatment is sought in time.
Preventing Jawbone Deterioration with Your Allen Implant Dentist
The beauty of dental implants, which are surgically inserted into your jawbone, is that they can serve as anchors for whatever dental prosthetic you require, whether it’s a single crown, a set of full dentures, or anything in between. By replacing the roots, implants can also restore the stimulation of biting and chewing that helps secure your jawbone’s health and the future of your remaining teeth. To learn more, schedule an appointment with your Allen implant dentist by calling (972) 390-9944 today. Located in the 75013 area, we proudly welcome patients from Allen, Plano, Richardson, McKinney, Frisco, Fairview, Murphy, Wylie, Lewisville, Carrolton, and surrounding communities.
