Are you missing teeth? If so, your jawbone is at risk of shrinking because it is no longer getting the stimulation it needs from your natural, healthy teeth. You may have dentures in Vero Beach as a replacement, but is this solution preserving your jawbone to keep it healthy and strong? Read to find out the answer!
Why Does the Jawbone Shrink After Tooth Loss?
When you chew food, there is force that is sent through your teeth and into the jawbone. However, even after a single tooth is lost, your jaw loses some of the stimulation it was once getting, which causes your body to slowly break down the bone. In fact, research shows that up to 25% of the bone surrounding the area of a missing tooth can deteriorate in just the first year after tooth loss.
How Dentures Replace Missing Teeth
Dentures are made up of prosthetic teeth, which are attached to a gum-colored base. They are typically made of a special resin and are used for patients who are missing all or most of their smiles. Dentures are held in place with suction, and they restore the visible portion of your teeth. However, dentures do not prevent the jawbone from deteriorating. In fact, they can actually speed up the process of jawbone shrinkage in some cases. Without replacing the stimulation your tooth once provided, your bone will continue to shrink, which can eventually cause your denture to not fit properly.
Dental Implants: The Best Option for Bone Health
Unlike dentures, dental implants restore your missing teeth from the roots up for the most comprehensive replacement available. Dental implants are small titanium posts that are surgically placed in the jaw to act as natural tooth roots. Titanium is biocompatible, which allows the implants to fuse to your bone, becoming a sturdy support for your restorations. This process actually stimulates the jaw to prevent it from deteriorating, maintaining your full facial appearance and bone strength.
Other Benefits of Dental Implants
By combining dental implants with dentures, an implant expert can give you a full smile replacement that looks, feels, and functions naturally. That means you won’t have to deal with irritating and embarrassing dentures that slip or slide when you speak and eat. Instead, you can chew, talk, and grin with the ultimate confidence of having a secure denture. Plus, as an added benefit, dental implants can last for an entire lifetime with proper care.
Get your confident smile back and preserve your jawbone at the same time! Contact an expert to discuss dental implants for a secure, healthy, and beautiful set of teeth.
Meet the Prosthodontists
Dr. Adam Jones and Dr. Giuliana Diaz Jones are a husband and wife team of Board-Certified Prosthodontists who combines their extensive training and knowledge to treat even the toughest of cases. They offer a variety of advanced dental services, including implant-retained dentures. If you have any questions, they can be reached through their website or by phone at (772) 234-5353.