Did you know that losing a tooth can promote bone loss in your jaw? In addition, traditional dentures can actually make the problem worse, further degrading the bone around the missing teeth. Your Lake Forest dentist, Dr. James Fondriest, explains how dental implants influence jaw bone retention and provide seamless tooth replacement.
Reasons for Seeking Dental Implants
Dental implants replace one or more missing teeth. A variety of factors can lead to missing teeth, including:
- Gum disease
- Severe tooth decay
- Trauma
Dental implants provide either a permanent alternative to dentures or a more secure form of removable dentures. With dental implants, patients enjoy a natural-looking smile that functions beautifully. Implants also don’t require adhesives, and they never slip when the patient is eating or speaking.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
After a consultation and oral examination, Dr. Fondriest will decide if dental implants are the right choice for replacing your missing teeth. The next step involves anchoring biocompatible titanium posts into the sockets left by missing teeth. Dental implants anchor full dentures or simply replace a few missing teeth.
After placing the posts, Dr. Fondriest will wait three to six months for the bone to bond with the posts. This process is known as osteointegration. Crowns will be placed on the top of the posts, restoring your smile and blending with your natural teeth. For full or partial dentures, a set of new teeth will be crafted and affixed to the posts.
Dental Implants and Bone Loss Prevention
Once a patient begins to lose teeth, bone retention becomes a major issue. When a tooth is missing, the jaw ridge often shrinks, and the body stops providing calcium and phosphorus to that portion of the jaw. Soon, bone loss begins, and just the act of chewing or talking further damages the already vulnerable jaw bone. Dental implants are safe replacements for natural teeth. Your body actually reacts to them as if they’re your natural teeth. The body re-initiates supplying nutrients, and bone loss is eliminated.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Lake Forest Dentist
Do you need missing teeth replaced? Are you considering dental implants? Call today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Fondriest. Contact our dentist office at (847) 234-0517. We welcome patients from Lake Forest and North Shore suburbs of Chicago.