Your dentist’s goal is to help you keep the teeth you were born with healthy and in place for as long as possible. Brushing, flossing, and getting routine checkups and cleanings can go a long way in keeping your smile complete. But, even if you lose one or more teeth, having them replaced with a dental implant can help to prevent bone loss in Harrisonburg. Keep reading to find out why that’s vitally important for your oral and overall health!
Why Missing Teeth Cause Bone Loss
When you have lost a tooth, you are missing more than just the part you can see. You no longer have the supportive root structure, either — which means your jaw bone is without the blood flow and nutrients it needs to thrive. As a result of this disuse, the bone tissue will slowly begin to reabsorb, taking away from the sturdy foundation that your remaining natural teeth require. The loss of volume will result in more teeth being lost one by one if an intervention is not taken as soon as possible.
How Dental Implants Can Help
Dental implants provide a wonderful option for preventing bone loss related to missing teeth. These tiny titanium posts take the place of the root structure, promoting the growth of bone tissue and gradually fusing together with the jaw. This fusion (known as “osseointegration”) brings back the crucial blood flow to the bone, preventing resorption and helping you to keep your remaining natural teeth healthy and in place for a long time to come.
Additional benefits of dental implants include:
- Promote oral and overall health
- Look, fit, and feel just like the natural teeth
- Easier to clean than other replacement options
- Promote a balanced and nutritious diet
- Can correct prior dental misalignments
- Can last a lifetime with proper maintenance
Most healthy patients who are already missing one or more teeth or who are on the brink of tooth loss are eligible for dental implants. To find out whether or not you, too, can benefit from this comprehensive replacement option, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your implant dentist! Preventing bone loss can help you to keep your remaining natural teeth for the long-haul — and that is so important.
Meet the Practice
The team at Harrisonburg Family and Cosmetic Dentistry loves to help patients enjoy the multitude of benefits associated with dental implants in Harrisonburg — including the prevention of bone loss. If you have questions about dental implants, including whether or not you are a candidate, please contact the office by calling 540-908-3774.