Most adults will lose at least one tooth by the time they are a senior. Decay, gum disease, sports injuries, and car accidents all contribute to tooth loss.  Thankfully, single-tooth dental implants are available to replace the tooth root so patients don’t have to experience the negative effects of missing a tooth.  

In this blog, we’ll discuss what happens to the mouth after losing a tooth and how a dental implant is placed to improve the health and appearance of your smile!

The Effects of Tooth Loss

Many people believe a missing tooth is simply a cosmetic issue. In reality, tooth loss is more of an oral and overall health issue. Our teeth contribute to more than just eating and speaking; the root of a tooth stimulates the jawbone to help you maintain a strong bite and prevent atrophy.

When the jawbone begins to deteriorate, the neighboring teeth start to move towards the space that’s been left behind, and the rest of your teeth slowly follow. Atrophy, or facial sagging, is also common when a patient loses a tooth.

In addition to these physical consequences, people with tooth loss are also likely to experience more overall health issues and low self-confidence.

How Dental Implants Can Help

“If there is no risk, there is no reward” is a popular saying when it comes to many things in life, but not all good things require risk. Dental implant procedures are over 95 percent successful. While there are always some risks involved in surgery, dental implant surgery is highly predictable, and dentists are specially trained to know if a patient is a good candidate for dental implants.

The Procedure

Once a patient is approved for a dental implant, your dentist will create a personalized treatment plan to improve the health and appearance of your smile. Here’s what you can expect on the day of your single-tooth dental implant replacement procedure:

• Anesthesia: To maximize your comfort and calm any nerves, your dentist will provide local anesthesia and give you the option of oral conscious sedation or nitrous oxide.
• The surgery: The first step of implant insertion is making a small incision to the top of the gums. Your dentist will then carefully place the small, screw-like titanium rod into your jawbone and stitch up the incision.
• Post-surgical instructions: Taking proper care of the implant is imperative to its success. Your dentist will give you specific instructions for you to follow.

Recovery often takes several months, but during this time an important process called osseointegration is happening. Osseointegration is the process by which your jawbone joins with the dental implant as if it is a natural tooth root.

After your mouth has successfully healed, your dentist will place an abutment and crown on top of the implant. These procedures will take place on two separate occasions.

Benefits of Dental Implants

So, how do dental implants stop the effects of tooth loss? Because the implant acts as your natural tooth, the jawbone is stimulated so you no longer have to worry about shifting teeth and atrophy.

When compared to other restorative options, dental implants offer these advantages:

• No diet restrictions
• Comfort
• Easy maintenance
• Fully restored function and appearance
• Long-lasting results
• Better oral health

Schedule an Initial Consultation Today

If you’re missing a tooth (or multiple teeth!) don’t wait any longer to restore the health and appearance of your smile.

To meet with our Grant Park dental implant dentist, call 404-328-7177 today.