If you’re missing teeth, you’re probably aware of the added burdens that accompany it. For example, you’re forced to eat softer foods because chewing is much more difficult. If you planned on getting dentures, you may want to read this post from your dentist in Lafayette. While dentures can make eating foods a bit easier, it won’t address the long-term effects missing teeth cause. This includes bone recession and facial deformation.
You might be asking, “What are these conditions? Why should I be worried about them?” If you want the best solution to make eating easier, you’ll want to consider dental implants over other restorative methods. Currently, they’re the only solution to these issues, which we’ll be discussing in a moment.
Bone Recession
Your teeth have many functions outside of helping you eat and smile. When you have teeth, your jawbone is continuously stimulated, keeping it strong and retaining its shape. However, once teeth leave the mouth and aren’t replaced, a process known as bone recession occurs.
When bone is stimulated by teeth, it’s capable of regenerating new bone. Without teeth, this old bone with be resorbed by the body, traveling to other areas where it’s needed. This causes the jaw to become weaker over time and shrink, making basic functions like chewing much more difficult.
Facial Deformation
Another common side effect of missing teeth is facial deformation, a phenomenon where the face begins to change shape. When tooth leave the mouth, you aren’t just losing the visible crown. The tooth roots, which are responsible for blood flow to the mouth and gum tissue, leave with it.
Without this blood flow occurring, your inner cheeks begin to lose the elasticity they once had. This can cause a sunken facial appearance and hollow cheeks. With dental implants in Lafayette, your dentist can reverse both these conditions.
Dental Implants in Lafayette are the Answer
Dental implants are considered the most effective tooth-replacement solution for many reasons. Not only are they most cost-effective solution due to their durability and functionality, but they’re the only solution that promotes bone growth and reestablishes blood flow to your face and gum tissue. Implants are more than just a new crown; think of them as a prosthetic tooth root.
Furthermore, dental implants have a higher success rate than every replacement option out there. Thanks to long-term clinical studies of patients with dental implants, doctors have confirmed them to have a 95 percent success rate, even 10 years after placement. According to your dentist in Lafayette, dental implants can last an entire lifetime when properly cared for.
Dental implants also don’t require any special maintenance, unlike dentures which require additional cleaning and soaking to remain functional. If you brush twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste, floss daily, and visit your dentist every six months, you can expect your implants to last for life. To see if you’re eligible for implants, schedule an appointment with your dentist today!
About the Author
Every day, Dr. Terry Batliner looks forward to helping his patients gain a healthier smile. After earning his dental degree from the University of Northern Colorado Dental School, he opened Sage Dental Care to provide dental services to the Lafayette community. To learn more about his dental implant treatments and practice, contact him at (303) 604-6355 or visit his website.