Implant Dentistry Oak Lawn
The advantage of getting dental implants from an Oak Lawn dentist over other options for tooth replacement is that an implant connects directly to the jaw bone. It’s not the same as the original connection, but dental implants function to support bone structure critical to your smile and confidence. When a tooth is lost, bone loss eventually occurs in that region. That’s because the root is no longer stimulating and stabilizing the bone. By using titanium, which biochemically adjoins to your jaw bone, to replace the root you lost, you get a bond that replicates your original one, and supports your smile.
What happens when you lose a tooth?
When you lose a tooth, especially a back tooth, you may feel you don’t need to replace it. After all, no one can see that it’s missing and you have plenty of other teeth. However, bone loss, while gradual, never stops under the surface of a lost tooth. Surrounding each tooth is an alveolar bone that supports the tooth. When the tooth is lost, that bone slowly melts away. This is why people who have lost most of their teeth appear to have a caved-in appearance to their mouths. Besides causing damage to the immediate area, tooth loss affects remaining teeth as well. Missing teeth create an uneven chewing surface that adds stress to the remaining teeth. Also, teeth create a structure for the face and their loss can shift the surrounding teeth, creating aesthetic issues and bite problems. A lost tooth can also affect facial structures such as the jaw, muscles, jaw joints, and even the skin. When several teeth are lost, you should consider the social and vocational consequences. You don’t have live with that compromise in your confidence. Call to make your appointment today – 708-425-5300.
Rebuilding Bone
When the supporting alveolar bone melts away, it’s gone for good, but through grafting, Dr. Michael B. smith can recreate bone to fuse with and support an implant. Still, it’s best to have a dental implant as soon as possible after the tooth is lost for the most predictable aesthetic outcome.
Bone implants and implant restorations take time
Replacing a tooth with an implant and a crown is not a one-day procedure. The implant needs time to properly adhere to the bone and create a healthy fusion before the crown can be attached and full bite force can be applied. In most cases, it will take a few months to complete the process. Due to the timeline, dental implants are completed in a series of steps; each is very different and depending upon your needs, we may refer you to a specialist. For more information about implants and implant restorations, visit the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.