When you lose a tooth and do not replace it, the gap you have in your mouth can lead to a number of different problems. A gap can lead to the shifting of your teeth, and it can also make it harder for you to chew foods. It's also important to realize that a gap in your mouth can also cause problems with the jawbone located in this area. The best thing you could do to avoid these issues is get a dental implant. A dental implant does not only reduce the negative effects a gap has on the jawbone, but it can actually help this part of the jawbone stay and become healthier.
What happens to the jawbone when there is a gap?
When you have a gap in your mouth from a missing tooth, the jawbone below the gap is affected by this. The jawbone below the gap is there to hold your teeth in place, and this bone is constantly regenerating itself. The way it does this is through the use of a tooth. When you have a tooth in place, each time you chew, the tooth root stimulates the bone to grow and regenerate. When you lose the tooth in this place, the bone no longer has a job to serve, and it no longer has a way to regenerate Over time, this will cause a reduction in the bone mass in that spot in your mouth.
How does a dental implant help the jawbone?
Filling in a gap with a dental implant will keep the jawbone strong, because your jawbone will respond to the implant just like it does a regular tooth. In other words, using the implant in your mouth for chewing will cause the jawbone in this area to regenerate and keep growing. This will prevent you from losing bone mass in this area of your jawbone, and dental implants are the only form of tooth replacement that can do this.
It's important to realize how quickly the jawbone can lose mass when you have a gap in your mouth. During the first year alone, the jawbone will experience a 25% decrease in its width. Because this deterioration occurs so quickly, you should try to replace a missing tooth as soon as possible.
If you want to look better, chew more easily, and keep your jawbone strong and dense, you should consider filling in your gap with a dental implant. Talk with Schererville Family Dentistry if you have questions about this process.
Share4 April 2017
Toddlers should see a dentist for the first time by the age of twelve months or by the time their first tooth comes in. But if you are a parent with toddlers anything like mine, the prospect of going to the dentist (let alone anywhere!) can be pretty intimidating. My kids were a handful growing up. They had tantrums any time we would have to sit in a waiting room, and they refused to get in the dentist's chair during their first few visits. So, I had to employ a professional to help me make the transition to finally getting them in that dental chair without all the screaming and crying. I know I'm not the only parent in this situation, so I decided to share the information I've learned with others who can use a little help. You can find all my advice right here on these pages!