Many people with badly damaged or missing teeth are largely concerned with facial aesthetics. When one or more teeth are pulled or fall out, volume loss can occur at the midface. Moreover, the mere prospect of showing off an incomplete smile can be downright terrifying. In reality, however, tooth loss is much more than just a cosmetic issue. It can also negatively impact the integrity of the smile, create imbalance across natural bite forces, and contribute to significant wear and tear. The good news is that dental implants can both restore and protect your smile, even after significant decay has formed.
What Dental Implants Are and How They Work
During a dental implant treatment with our cosmetic dentist, a small, titanium post is embedded directly in the patient’s jawbone. This implant is intended to replace the natural tooth root that was removed during tooth extraction or a root canal procedure. Over time, as the body grafts the post into the bone, it will become a sufficiently stable, supporting structure for an artificial tooth. This artificial tooth structure is referred to as a crown, and it can be shaped and colored to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.
Not only will you have a complete set of teeth once your treatment is done, but you’ll be able to again enjoy the efficiency of a strong and perfectly balanced bite. If implants are used to replace multiple missing teeth, these structures can make both chewing and speaking clearly a whole lot easier.
Why Choose Dental Implants for Your Smile Restoration Plan?
One of the greatest benefits that people can gain when choosing dental implants is the ability to protect the underlying bone structure that supports their natural teeth. Whenever a natural tooth is damaged or lost, the body begins routing less oxygen and blood to the affected area. Over time, this can lead to the gradual and progressive deterioration of the jawbone, and it may potentially cause additional teeth to loosen or even fall out.
Can You Get Dental Implants after Bone Loss?
When tooth decay is allowed to spiral out of control, harmful and initially localized bacteria can start to spread. Much like tooth loss, the activity of these microorganisms can actually diminish bone density. In fact, there are few people in need of dental implants who haven’t experienced some measure of bone loss at the treatment site. Luckily, there’s currently a variety of bone grafting and bone rebuilding procedures that can help promote a stable and reliable base for implantation. As such, even if your tooth decay has already negatively affected the underlying bone, you may still be a candidate for treatment.
To find out if you qualify for dental implants, feel free to visit the office of Samuel F. Jirik, DDS, in Cabot, AR. We also serve residents in the surrounding areas, including Little Rock, AR. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!
