Studies show that by the time we reach our mid-thirties to mid-forties, sixty nine percent of us will have lost at least one tooth from an accident or dental problems. While it might be tempting to ignore the loss of one tooth…especially when it’s at the back of our mouth where no one can see it…it’s not a good decision for our overall health. When a tooth is lost or extracted, it creates a gap that if not filled, can have the following effects on our oral health:

-It can impact the way our jaw closes.

-The surrounding teeth may begin to move over to fill in the space.

-Food often becomes trapped in the area, which can cause tooth decay or gum disease.

-Our bone begins to dissolve because the root of the tooth is no longer there to keep the bone stimulated and healthy.

Ideally, a tooth or teeth should be replaced soon after they are extracted or lost to ensure optimal oral health conditions. At one time, bridges or partial dentures were the only options for replacing missing or lost teeth and because these structures sit on top of the jaw bone, they filled in the gap but did not protect the jaw bone from disintegrating.

However, dental implants have been successfully used to replace missing teeth since the 1960’s and have now become an important part of dental care. The benefit of using an implant versus a bridge is that the implant is imbedded in a patient’s jaw bone, and not only occupies the space left by the original tooth, the implant acts like a tooth root and keeps the jaw bone stimulated, which prevents the bone in that area from dissolving.

Dental implants are screws (or cylinders) that are imbedded in a patient’s jaw to hold a natural-looking but artificial tooth that looks and functions just like the original one. There are three parts to a dental implant that is created to replace a single tooth:

-The titanium implant that is imbedded in the jawbone acts as the root structure that is part of a natural tooth.

-The abutment, which is the part that goes over the protruding section of the screw from the gum line.

-The crown which looks, feels and functions like a normal tooth. (This part is fitted on the abutment and is secured firmly on the gum.)

Implants are not only natural-looking, they are strong and durable and can last a lifetime. And they require the same type of oral hygiene as a real tooth: regular brushing, flossing and dental visits. My name is Dr. Smith and as a periodontist, I recommend that a missing tooth is replaced as soon as possible, but implants can still be an option for patients who have gaps from a tooth or teeth that were lost some time ago. Because of the bone loss that occurs with the loss of a tooth or teeth, bone grafting may have to be done in order to permanently secure the implant, but with dental technology most people can enjoy the benefits of dental implants.

Implants are just one more way that dental technology can help ensure that every one can have a healthy mouth and beautiful smile for their entire lifetime.

Author Bio: Dr. Karl Smith has been in dental practice for over twenty-seven years. His specialties are periodontics, dental anesthesia and implants. People come from near and far to experience the comfort and professionalism of his office and patient-oriented staff. DrKarlSmith.com

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: periodontics, periodontist, karl smith dds, dr karl smith, implant dentistry