IF A TOOTH IS LOST WILL YOU MISS IT?
A surprising number of Americans -some 70% of the U.S. population- is thought to be missing at least one tooth, usually one of the molars in the back. But if you can't see the missing tooth, does it truly matter? Perhaps unexpectedly, the answer is: Yes, it does!
The real problem with tooth loss isn't esthetics, it's the bone loss that comes with it. The alveolar bone, which surrounds the teeth, requires regular stimulation in order to stay healthy. Without such stimulation the bone gradually melts away. Tooth loss can cause a 25% decrease in bone width in the first year alone, and more in subsequent years.
What happens when bone is lost? If enough teeth are lost, the ability to speak and chew can be impaired. The contours of the face and lips change, making an individual look noticeably older and gloomier. Eventually, the bite may effectively collapse along with self-confidence. Fortunately, there is a way to keep tooth loss from becoming bone loss.
DENTAL IMPLANTS- Making The Best Choice
While dental implants have been around for decades, recent advances in technology and treatment protocols have made treatment more convenient, more effective, and more affordable; making teeth implants a treatment of choice for missing teeth. The cost of dental implants has become manageable, allowing thousands of people to change their lives. Implant manufacturers have made advances in the design and effectiveness of dental implants. New and advanced coating technologies help implants better integrate with the surrounding bone for greater stability and long-term endurance. New shape and thread designs help implants to be more easily inserted, and become more stable upon placement. And new component designs allow greater flexibility in implant placement to maximize use of existing bone.