Implants are a type of dental restoration used to replace missing, damaged, or severely decayed teeth. Dental implants replace the entire tooth, including the root, making them a good choice in cases when the root of the tooth has been compromised. Additionally, implants are made to look and feel like a natural tooth, restoring the beauty of your smile along with the function of the damaged or missing tooth. 

Beyond simply replacing a gap in your smile, dental implants can also protect the health of the jawbone. Here, we’ll discuss the impact of a missing tooth on your jawbone and how dental implants can protect the jawbone against damage. 

Dental Implants and the Jawbone

Dental implants are fused to the jawbone through a process called osseointegration; osseointegration stimulates bone growth around the dental implant fixture. This fuses the implant fixture to the jawbone, giving it durability and strength.

This process of placing implants can prevent problems with the jawbone caused by missing teeth, including:

Jawbone Deterioration

When a tooth and the root are damaged or missing, the jawbone is no longer stimulated. As a result, it will start to deteriorate and weaken, which can cause functional problems and may cause the remaining teeth to shift.

The bone growth triggered by the placement of dental implants prevents lost bone mass in the jawbone. This will help preserve the strength of the jawbone and the position of the other teeth in the mouth. 

Facial Structure

By stimulating bone growth, dental implants can keep your facial structure intact. When missing teeth are left untreated, a loss of bone mass can diminish the structure of the face and jaw, giving the face a sunken and aging appearance. With the bone growth provided by dental implants, however, it’s possible to prevent lost facial structure and retain your appearance despite missing or damaged teeth. 

If you have a missing or severely damaged tooth, schedule an appointment at Dalton Dental today. We offer dental implants, including mini-implants, to restore your smile and preserve the health of your jawbone.