There are many options to choose from when it comes to replacing your missing teeth. While traditional dentures and dental implants tend to be the most popular among those suffering from tooth loss, they differ in many ways – one of the most common being jawbone preservation. As a pivotal component in your ability to maintain optimal oral health going forward, which one should you choose? Keep reading to find out.
What Happens to the Bone When Dealing with Tooth Loss?
Whether a tooth is extracted or falls out due to injury or severe decay, its loss not only affects your physical appearance but also the state of your oral health.
The root of a tooth is situated within the jawbone and delivers regular stimulation each time you bite down or chew. Unfortunately, when the root is no longer there to provide the necessary stimulus, the bone can begin to weaken over time. As this happens, additional teeth can become loose, leading to additional tooth loss.
Dentures or Dental Implants: Why the Right Form of Tooth Replacement Matters
Since bone loss can lead to more serious problems down the road, it’s important to choose a tooth replacement that does more than replicate the visible portion of your smile. Instead, finding a solution that replaces both the root and crown is most beneficial.
This is why dental implants are more highly recommended than traditional dentures. Dentures may be less expensive and allow you to still enjoy a more confident and natural-looking smile, but they cannot provide the necessary stimulation needed to prevent bone loss in the future. As a result, this can require more invasive and costlier treatment in the future if you want to regain any lost jawbone density.
Dental implants, however, are vastly different with their titanium, screw-like posts that fit within the jawbone and mimic the role of a natural tooth root. By fusing with the bone tissues and delivering essential stimulation, you not only maintain healthier bone but also enjoy more youthful facial features.
Knowing which option is right for your situation requires meeting with your dentist for a complete consultation. If the idea of spending your life with a smile that remains stable and supportive is what you prefer, you cannot go wrong in choosing dental implants to replace your missing teeth.
About the McCarl Dental Group at Shipley’s Choice
Our team at McCarl Dental Group at Shipley’s Choice believes in offering patients ways to replace their missing teeth. Using dental implants to restore incomplete smiles, we not only rebuild the visible portions of teeth but also the roots – a vital component for jawbone preservation. Call our office or visit our website if you want to learn whether this permanent tooth replacement solution is right for you.