When most people think of dental implants, the first thing that comes to mind is how they give you new and improved dental health and of course, a brand new tooth. However, one of the lesser well-known benefits of dental implants is the role they play in maintaining the health of your jawbone.
The relationship between your teeth and jawbone
Your teeth and your jawbone are closely interlinked, helping each other out constantly. Every second of every day, your teeth are stimulated in some way, shape or form – even when you’re not chewing food, they make minuscule connections with one another all day long. This stimulation also helps the jawbone function in terms of growth and repair, so when you lose a tooth, the jawbone no longer has the capability of regenerating in this way. As a result, some changes occur.
What happens to your jawbone after you lose a tooth?
Because your jawbone no longer has a purpose at the location of the missing tooth, it starts to shrink away. This causes several complications including facial changes that can make you look older than you actually are. As the jawbone shrinks away, it draws your chin and nose close together, resulting in the jaw protruding, appearing like an underbite. Deep wrinkles can also form around the mouth. Unsurprisingly, many people experience a drop in confidence and find that having a dental implant restores their self-esteem enormously, with these changes being gradually reversed.
So how do implants preserve my jawbone?
So we’ve talked about the jawbone’s role when it comes to losing a tooth. But where do dental implants come in? Dental implants are a permanent solution to jawbone loss and once inserted into the jawbone, they are there for life, providing you care for them correctly. Implants are made from titanium which is a highly biocompatible material, so your jawbone recognises the implant as something that is a real body part, triggering the growth of cells and tissues around the implant. The jawbone now has the support it needs to be healthy again.
Dentures don’t possess the same superpowers as dental implants as they are not a permanent and fixed solution. As they’re removable, you’re exposed to the risk of jawbone loss overtime. To discuss your options for replacing a missing tooth, ask your dentist here at Corner House, who can talk you through your options.
Our Norwich practice is a warm and welcoming environment where patients can feel at home and at ease. Contact us to book your appointment with us today.