If you have missing teeth, there’s no need to feel embarrassed about the appearance of your smile—fortunately, help is available that will benefit your smile in terms of look and functionality! Missing teeth can be replaced thanks to options like dentures and dental implants. But are either one of these options preferable for addressing the potential bone loss that results from missing teeth? Here’s more from your dentist about these two options and which is ultimately better for jawbone preservation.
How Missing Teeth Leads to Bone Loss
Your natural teeth are by far the best option at your disposal for biting and chewing, so needless to say, missing teeth can certainly make life complicated. But amidst all of the issues caused by missing teeth, jawbone preservation is actually something you should be very concerned about! As you bite and chew, pressure from your teeth is exerted downwards through their roots and stimulates your jaws, encouraging them to grow and remain healthy.
Without this stimulation, your jaws will weaken and prematurely deteriorate, and missing teeth can expedite this process. Insufficient bone density in your jaw can cause all kinds of problems, including a gradual decrease in facial structure that leads to facial collapse. It can also weaken your remaining natural teeth and cause them to fall out. This means that missing teeth need to be replaced in order to preserve the integrity of your jawbone and in turn, your facial structure!
Can Dentures Assist with Jawbone Preservation?
Dentures are ideal for patients who are missing many or all of their teeth—they’re essentially prosthetics that rely on a combination of suction, muscle control, and adhesives to stay in place in your jaws. But since they aren’t permanently affixed to anything inside your mouth, they can easily slip and slide around, and in turn, negatively affect your chewing power. And unfortunately, since they aren’t anchored to your jaw, they also don’t offer anything in terms of jawbone preservation. In fact, there is even some research that suggests that wearing dentures can even increase bone atrophy, which results in substantial jawbone shrinkage!
Will Dental Implants Prevent Bone Loss?
Often considered the gold standard for replacing missing teeth, dental implants can do everything that dentures can do and more, including preventing premature jawbone deterioration. These nifty solutions are titanium posts that are surgically embedded into your jawbone, where they restore the entire lost tooth’s structure from root to crown.
Once they’ve been implanted, they will naturally fuse with your jaw through a process called osseointegration. This results in unmatched durability and longevity, while also providing you with a complete, beautiful smile! The implants also provide your jaw with the same level of stimulation that your natural teeth would.
If you’re looking to replace your missing teeth, something to keep in mind is your jaw; while dentures and implants can both restore lost teeth, the latter is the superior choice for jawbone preservation.
About the Practice
The team at LG Dental Centre is honored to serve patients and families in the Toronto area. The practice is pleased to offer a wide range of services including both dentures and dental implants. If you have any additional questions about the article or would like to schedule a consultation, feel free to visit the practice’s website or give them a call for assistance: 416-224-8300.