It’s hard to say what the worst thing about tooth loss is. On one hand, the gaps in your teeth can be unsightly and diminish your confidence, while on the other hand untreated tooth loss can lead to the deterioration of your smile’s foundation. Luckily, dental implants can help stave off the destruction of your gum tissue and jawbone, as well as provide a sturdy base for the replacement teeth that cover the gaps in your smile.
However, there are a few requirements that must be met before you can be deemed eligible for a dental implant procedure, one of the most important of which is healthy gums and sufficient jawbone structure to support it.
The Science Behind Dental Implants
The roots of a healthy tooth are embedded in your jawbone. When you bite and chew, the stimulated roots let your body know that your jaw has teeth to support, and your body sends the nutrients necessary to support your bone and teeth. When one or more of these roots is lost, your body takes note of the reduced stimulation and adjusts the nutrient supply to your jaw accordingly.
The reduced nourishment can eventually lead to jawbone deterioration and the loss of more teeth. A dental implant, shaped to mimic a tooth’s root, is surgically inserted into your jawbone. Once healed, the implant can serve as an anchor to secure your dental prosthetic (i.e., crown or denture), as well as help prevent jawbone deterioration and save your remaining teeth.
Fortifying Your Gums and Jawbone
If your jawbone has deteriorated significantly already, or if gum disease has destroyed a significant amount of your gum tissue, then you may not be able to benefit from a dental implant procedure right away. The first step would then be fortifying the area in question so that it can support the implant. Treatment may include a custom periodontal treatment, as well as a jawbone graft to strengthen and fortify your smile’s foundation.
ABOUT YOUR SANTA ROSA, CA, ORAL SURGEONS:
Combining experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery with a genuine care for their patients’ health and comfort, the team at Santa Rosa Oral Surgery is ready to improve the health and beauty of smiles in the Sonoma County and North Bay area. To schedule a consultation, contact our office by calling 707-545-4625 (Santa Rosa).
