The Truth About Missing Teeth and Bone Loss

Tooth loss can leave you with all sorts of problems. Your ability to enjoy all of your favorite foods is diminished, you’ll struggle to pronounce certain words and sounds, and ultimately your self-esteem will suffer. But did you know that when teeth are lost, your body also immediately begins removing the bone in your jaw? This means that when you replace your missing teeth, you should opt for a solution that also addresses this bone loss. Continue reading to learn more!

How Missing Teeth Causes Bone Loss

Our natural teeth are pretty important for several reasons; the two that come to mind first are eating and speaking, but beyond that, did you know that they also help to prevent bone loss? This is because chewing on food essentially has the same effect in our mouths as weight-bearing exercises have on our bodies. The force that we exert when we bite and chew food travels down through the tooth roots and stimulates the jaw bones, encouraging them to grow healthily. Without this stimulation provided by your natural teeth, our bodies start to break down the bone in the area where the tooth is missing, and your jaw can actually begin to shrink due to bone resorption!

Can Dentures Prevent Bone Loss?

Dentures are one of the most recognizable solutions for replacing missing teeth. They consist of realistic prosthetic teeth affixed to a gum-colored base, made from durable materials that allow patients to eat and speak with ease. That said, while dentures can certainly replace missing teeth, they do not replace the stimulation that your natural teeth provide to your jawbone. What’s worse is that it’s even possible for dentures to increase the rate at which jawbone atrophy occurs, especially if they don’t fit correctly, you’re overwearing them, or your oral health is struggling.   

Will Dental Implants Prevent Bone Loss?

Dental implants are considered the gold standard when it comes to replacing missing teeth, and the primary reason for this is that in addition to replacing the entire structure of the lost teeth, they also fully prevent bone loss in the jawbone. Since the implant posts themselves are placed into the jaw itself, they fuse with it and act as tooth roots. So when you bite and chew with implants, the exerted pressure travels down through the posts and into the jaw, encouraging it to grow. Under ideal circumstances, this solution can last for a lifetime – meaning patients won’t just enjoy complete and beautiful smiles, but also healthy jaws.

Though dentures have their purpose, they ultimately cannot do what implants can. When it comes to tooth replacement, you should want a solution that benefits you in every way possible, and dental implants fit this bill.

About the Practice

The team at The Castleberry Center has served patients and families in Houston, TX, and the surrounding area for several years. Under the leadership of Dr. Darrick Castleberry, they offer a wide range of services including life-changing restorative solutions like dental implants. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with the practice to set up an appointment, you can visit their website or call them today for assistance. Telephone: (281) 971-3440.