How can dental implants support facial bone structure?

Teeth loss has become a more common occurrence as the average age of our population increases. Unfortunately, losing teeth affects our facial bone structure, as bone around a missing tooth tends to deteriorate. It is always best to keep our natural teeth for as long as possible but regrettably, teeth do get lost, and it does affect our appearance. Dental implants can make all the difference.

A Missing Tooth Affects the Facial Bone

When a tooth falls out on its own accord, or is removed because trauma or health reasons, the underlying bone does not need to give support to the pressure that comes from chewing. This pressure offers healthy stimulation that keeps the bone strong and healthy. Going ahead with a dental implant installation means it will provide the jaw bone with the stimulation it needs and will also help to maintain the bone that is still there.

A Dental Implant Mimics a Real Tooth

A dental implant acts in a similar way to a real tooth. Every tooth in the mouth has a specific role and the loss of only one tooth can have a great effect on your bite and your ability to chew. When a missing tooth is replaced it helps to keep the dental arch structure in place and provides better assistance when chewing. Once teeth have been removed, the bone that supports these teeth starts to erode.

The bone and teeth help to keep some of the parts of our face in the right place. When teeth are lost, the face alters because of the movement that is taking place beneath the skin. A set of dental implants can assist in slowing down this process and keep our face and jaw healthy and looking young.

Dental implants take on the role of pushing on the bone in a way that is quite similar to how natural teeth act. Even though they are not true teeth, they are the closest you can get to natural teeth when compared to all other sorts of dental reconstructions. A dental implant provides the stimulation that the bone requires to stay intact.

Dr. VanderMolen is the dental implant specialist you can trust for all your replacement needs.  For more information about this and all our other services, contact our office at (217) 546-3333. We look forward to working for you! Click here for more information on all the services available at Advanced Dental Care.

Full arch replacement is a lifetime dental solution

Dentistry has become so advanced in the 21^st century that losing teeth is not as disabling as it used to be. There is no need to have the mouth measured for a full set of dentures as there are options available that can transform your mouth and fill it with a full set of permanently fixed teeth. This is referred to as full arch tooth replacement and offers the additional advantage of keeping the shape of the face intact as well as allowing full use of the teeth.

A fixed bridge is secured permanently into the mouth on dental implants. This allows the person to

• Eat as if the teeth were real
• Have a life long stable solution to teeth loss
• Keep the shape of their face intact
• Maintain bone density
• Have natural looking teeth.

There are a number of stages involved for installing a full arch tooth replacement and each plan and procedure involved is specific to the individual’s situation. It is therefore necessary to be examined by a dentist so that an individual plan for treatment can be organized.

The first stage involves installing dental implants, which replace the tooth roots that have been removed. Five dental implants are put in place and temporary teeth are attached which allow the patient to eat normally while the permanent fixed bridge is being prepared for installation.

The second stage proceeds when the dental implants have healed completely and fused with the jawbone. This then allows the fixed bridge to be installed securely. This type of full jaw replacement normally requires 2-3 visits to the dentist to have the fixed bridge attached.          

Once the fixed bridge has been installed and secured by the dental implants, the new teeth will look almost the same as normal teeth.

There are numerous advantages over the traditional removable dentures, particularly when it comes to premature aging when bone is lost around the face and lips. Additionally, the comfort level of the full arch tooth replacement is far superior to removable dentures.

If you have an interest in discussing this life changing procedure, contact Advanced Dental Care and Dr. VanderMolen.

Call (217) 546-3333 today.  Click here for more information on the services available from Dr. VanderMolen.