Dental implants offer greater stability to address missing teeth, and could last for decades to come, even a lifetime. But how do you know if you’re a good candidate for this procedure? In today’s blog, your Astoria, NY, dentist discusses implant candidacy, and how we address minor or advanced cases of tooth loss. A full smile is possible again!
The Risks of Ignoring Missing Teeth
When a tooth becomes lost, a number of complications could develop. For example, the teeth on either side of the gap could shift, causing dental misalignment. The uneven nature of your smile and the gap from your missing teeth could lead to bite imbalance and jaw joint strain, so TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding) is more likely. Lost teeth could lead to issues like trouble eating and speaking, too. But the main complication is the fact that the body will suspend the flow of key nutrients to the jawbone. Without them, the bone tissue breaks down. The result could be additional missing teeth and an aged appearance.
Assessing Your Candidacy
Dental implants not only fill the gap, but they also stimulate the growth of jawbone structure to prevent an aged appearance and help stop tooth loss. This is possible because each one contains a screw-like root that is inserted into the jawbone, bonding through a process known as osseointegration. A candidate for the procedure is someone with one or more missing teeth. However, we need to understand the factors behind your missing teeth. Periodontal disease is the number one cause of tooth loss, but this could also cause implant failure, so treatment to manage the disease is necessary. Also, if you’ve lost too much bone tissue in your jaw due to the breakdown in mass and density, this could make supporting a new tooth difficult without first rebuilding the area with bone grafting or sinus lifts.
Implants and Restorations
If after an exam and any necessary treatments of underlying issues we find you’re ready for dental implants, then an oral surgeon will work with us to plan and guide the placement of the roots. Once the post bonds with the jawbone, then we will add an abutment to secure the restoration. Our office custom-makes the restoration, or dental crown, to provide not only strength and stability, but also a lifelike appearance too. We want you to be able to smile with confidence, and enjoy a complete smile again. If you have any questions, let us know!
Do You Have Questions About Tooth Loss?
An exam can help us discover if you’re a good candidate for dental implants. To learn more about the best ways to replace your lost teeth, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
