Did you know that a lost tooth may not be the end of your oral healthwoes? A few complications can stem from a missing tooth. Among these complications are a condition called the domino effect (further tooth loss) and a reduction in jawbone density. Both of these problems have a common source in insufficient nutrition. This lack of nutrition stems from the adjustments the body makes following tooth loss. Sensing that a tooth no longer lives in the vacated area, the body stops sending nutrients. Unfortunately, the surrounding teeth and the jawbone sometimes suffer, resulting in complications. Dental implants, however, can prevent these complications, and Dr. Deborha Staten can tell you how.
How Dental Implants Restore Nutrition
The reason that the body recognizes that a tooth has been lost is that the missing tooth’s root no longer resides in the jaw. Dental implants, however, have a presence in the jaw. This presence is called the post, and it is made of titanium and coated in a special substance that encourages it to fuse with the jawbone. The fusion of the post with the jawbone does more than just provide a firm anchor for the new prosthetic tooth, however. It also tells the body that a tooth is back in the area, prompting the body to send nutrition to the area once again.
Dental Implants and the Jawbone
One circumstance that is responsible for the loss in jawbone density following tooth loss is the lack of nutrition. However, there is a secondary reason for the loss in density. When a tooth falls out, the bone cells in the area of the lost tooth no longer receive the stimulating forces generated by biting and chewing. Without these forces, the bone density reduces. Once the implant’s post is inserted into the jaw, however, the bone cells can once again receive stimulation, increasing bone density.
Schedule a Visit with Your Las Vegas Implant Dentist
Have you lost a tooth recently? Don’t become a victim of the domino effect. Schedule an appointment or a consultation with Dr. Staten today by calling 702-736-7979
