subject: Replace Missing Teeth With Dental Implants For Improved Function And Appearance [print this page] As the seasons quickly change, it may be time to make some adjustments in your smile if you are less than happy with the appearance of your teeth. The consequences of tooth loss can have a devastating effect on your overall health and self-esteem. However, fewer than 10 percent of patients seek information prior to the loss of a tooth. According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), due to fear, lack of knowledge or finances, many people will wait until pain sets in before seeking a solution, and even by then it is often too late. Many people assume that tooth loss is an inevitable part of aging, but most factors that contribute to tooth loss can be controlled much earlier in life. However, if the inevitable does happen and you do lose a tooth, or multiple teeth, your dentist can replace missing teeth with dental implants.
What is Tooth Loss?
Also known as edentulism, tooth loss occurs when one or more teeth fall out or are extracted due to injury or disease, such as mouth trauma, tooth decay or gum disease. Everyone from children to seniors are at a risk for tooth loss, especially if proper oral hygiene is not practiced. Tooth loss is typically associated with the elderly, but research suggests that nearly 27 percent of patients experience their first tooth loss between the ages of 21 and 30. According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), tooth loss is expected to rise with aging baby boomers, creating a phenomenon among a generation of people that saw their parents fall victim to tooth loss due to a lack in proper dental care.
As children become more active, they become more susceptible to two types of traumatic tooth loss - premature loss of a baby tooth or loss of a permanent tooth due to injury or neglect. Children should always wear protective mouth guards when playing sports. Parents are encouraged to consult their dentist immediately in the care of an injury and to provide protection for their child's teeth. Many adults do not know that gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. Tooth loss among adults is commonly linked to smoking, heart disease and diabetes. As people age, plaque can accumulate and become harder to eliminate, resulting in gum recession. Older fillings and dry mouth can also put seniors at a higher risk for losing their natural teeth.
Replace Missing Teeth with Dental Implants
Dental implants are manufactured "anchors" that are used in both the upper and lower jaws. Surgically inserted into the jawbone, implants become a stable base for artificial replacement teeth. The implant acts as the root of the tooth, and when accompanied by a crown, bridge or denture, the implant will look and perform like the natural tooth that was lost.
Implant surgery is performed in your dentist's office in a three step process. First, your dentist will surgically place an implant directly into the jawbone, replicating a natural tooth root. Following this is the initial surgery where the implant is typically left covered for three to six months to allow the bone to develop around the implant to help hold it in place. This process is called osseointegration. Without osseointegration taking place, the implant may fail.
Not everyone is a candidate for dental implants, but with proper consultation with your Detroit dentist a proper solution can be made for replacing your missing tooth. Success of the implant depends on regular visits along with a personal commitment to good oral hygiene.
