A dental implant provides a tooth replacement that lasts for decades, as opposed to removable options that needs adjustment or replacement every ten years. However, they require enough jawbone tissue to support them. Fortunately, even if you’ve lost jawbone tissue as a result of missing teeth, your Livonia, MI, dentist knows how to provide the benefits of dental implants with a mini option.
How We Lose Jawbone Tissue
What happens to our smiles once we lose one or more teeth? First, there is an embarrassing gap in your smile, one that could impact how you eat and speak. The strain from tooth loss could also upset bite balance, leading to a higher risk of complications like TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding). However, the most severe impact is the body suspending the flow of calcium and phosphorus to the bone tissue around the lost tooth. Without these nutrients, the bone tissue breaks down, losing mass and density. Over time, these changes could mean the facial structure is altered and the person looks older. The risk of further tooth loss also increases.
The Benefits of Mini Dental Implants
Typically, a dental implant is inserted into the jawbone, where the biocompatible titanium post bonds with the bone. We then attach a crown or a prosthetic later, once the bonding process, known as osseointegration, takes place. If you have lost significant mass and density in your jawbone, however, you may not be able to support a post without undergoing jawbone grafting or ridge augmentation, which are oral surgical procedures. Fortunately, we also have mini implants, which are smaller versions that require less bone tissues to support. In addition, they are more economical and cost-effective for many patients. We can use them to replace a single missing tooth, or to support a bridge or denture.
The Long-Term Benefits of Tooth Replacement
When we use implant dentistry, the body sees the post as a new root. The flow of calcium and phosphorus resumes, which prevents further loss of mass and density in your smile, and may even stimulate the growth of new tissues. Your new teeth then stay in place for decades to come, maybe even a lifetime with proper care and attention. If you have any questions about mini dental implants, then contact our team today.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR IMPLANT DENTISTRY?
We know that losing one or more teeth could harm your smile, which is why we provide long-lasting replacement options. To learn more about improving smiles suffering from tooth loss, or to find out if this option is right for you, then call James Stewart, DDS, dental implant office in Livonia, MI, at (734) 425-4400. We also serve the residents of Farmington, Plymouth, Dearborn Heights, and all surrounding communities.
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