Tooth loss isn’t something that everyone has to deal with, but it can affect virtually anyone given the right circumstances. For example, everyone is susceptible to gum disease without proper hygiene and preventive care, and gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss. Fortunately, patients in Cerritos, CA, who lose one or more teeth still have an excellent chance of restoring and preserving the rest of their smiles with the help of innovative dental implants.
Replacing it is important
There are several important things to know about tooth loss, but the most immediate one is that your smile relies on replacing the lost tooth as soon as possible. It isn’t just the appearance of your smile, but also the support that the tooth gives the rest of your teeth that matters. Without one or more teeth where they should be, the rest can drift toward the empty space to try and balance out the pressure of your bite. This leaves your remaining teeth more susceptible to damage and loss.
You might still lose more teeth
Even before your remaining teeth begin to shift out of place or suffer damage from imbalanced bite pressure, your risks of further tooth loss are automatically heightened by the loss of your tooth. That’s because the root that supported it also stimulated your jawbone, which ensured that it received an ample supply of nutrients. After losing a tooth root, this stimulation is reduced, and as your jawbone grows weaker, you’re more likely to lose more teeth in the future.
Implants can lower those risks
The good news is that you can greatly reduce these consequences by replacing your lost tooth with a dental implant. The small post of the implant is inserted into your jawbone, where the lost tooth’s root once rested, and then your jawbone heals to its surface. This not only provides a sturdy anchor for your prosthetic crown, but also restores the stimulation your jawbone needs to retain its proper mass and density.
Learn how to deal with tooth loss
After losing a tooth, replacing it with a lifelike dental implant as soon as possible could help you avoid some of the more serious consequences of tooth loss. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hofkes, call our Cerritos, CA, dental office today at 562-584-4082. We proudly serve patients of all ages who live in Cerritos, Lakewood, Long Beach, Buena Park, and all surrounding communities.
