Tackling Your Dental Treatment Plan

There are a variety of dental applications that can be used to replace missing teeth, including dental implants. Implant-based restorations tend to be the most natural in appearance and functionality. A dental implant takes the place of the roots of the missing tooth. Thus, the device is positioned in the bone of the jaw, where it integrates with the bone tissue, making it secure and stable in the mouth.

After the wound from the implantation surgery has healed, the gums around the implant are contoured for a natural look. The dentist then adds an abutment to the implant before placing the final crown, bridge, or denture to fully restore the lost tooth or teeth. A crown is typically used for a single-tooth, implant-based restoration. A bridge or denture may replace multiple teeth.

Bridges are typically secured in the mouth by bonding the devices to abutment teeth. However, when one or more abutment teeth are missing, a dental implant can be used to stabilize the bridge. Like bridges, dentures can also be implant-supported for stabilization. Regardless of the type of implant-based restoration that is used to restore the teeth, it should be performed as soon as possible after the teeth are lost. Missing teeth that are not promptly replaced can have a negative impact on the look of your face.

Here are some of the ways that lost teeth can mar your appearance.

Your Jaws May Not Line Up

The balanced look of your face is partially dependent on the alignment of your jaws. If the upper and lower jaws don't line up properly, your face can appear twisted. The back teeth aid in the alignment of the upper and lower palate. If a back tooth is lost, you may feel that the molar is unneeded, especially because it is not readily seen as you smile or speak. However, the missing molar can eventually make your face look imbalanced.

Your Jaws May Sag

A dental implant, like the roots of a natural tooth, transfers stimulation to the jawbone as you chew. The stimulation causes the production of new bone cells to maintain the density of the jawbone. When a tooth is lost and is not replaced using an implant, the jawbone may start to shrink due to the lack of stimulation. The shrinkage can reduce the support that the jaws supply to the soft tissues of the face, causing your face to sag and look older.

For more information about implant-based restorations, schedule an appointment with an office like New England Dental Specialists of Norwood today.