Tooth loss can be a devastating ordeal, but fortunately, you have several options for replacing your lost teeth according to your specific needs and preferences. In many cases, however, supporting your replacement teeth on dental implants is the best option, not just for rebuilding your smile, but also protecting its long-term health. Dental implants are the only solution that replaces your lost teeth roots, and as such, they are often a better way to address the complicated effects of tooth loss.
The Effects of Tooth Loss
One of the most significant effects of tooth loss is how your missing teeth make your smile appear. Modern bridges and dentures can fix this by replacing your lost teeth with highly lifelike replacements, but there is more to tooth loss than just appearance. For instance, when you lose your teeth roots, your jawbone receives fewer nutrients, and as a result, it can grow too weak to support the rest of your teeth. Because modern dental prostheses cannot address the loss of your teeth roots, they cannot help prevent your increased risks of further tooth loss.
What Dental Implants Can Do
Dental implants are small, root-like posts that are inserted into your jawbone where your lost teeth roots once rested. The posts can then support a replacement dental crown, bridge, or denture (depending on the extent of your tooth loss), replacing both the visible portions of your teeth and their supportive roots. Together, dental implants and a lifelike restoration can address all of the consequences of missing teeth.
Learn More About Dental Implants and Tooth Loss
After suffering tooth loss, dental implants may be the best solution for addressing the loss of your teeth.