Many dentists suggest the use of a dental implant to replace the roots of a lost tooth. Dental providers can perform implant procedures in their offices, using local anesthesia.
During the treatment, the dentist drills the implant into the bone of the jaw. Due to the numbing medication, the placement is painless.
The implant, which is made of titanium, is biocompatible. As a result, it is unlikely to be rejected by the body. In fact, the stability of the implant depends on the proper healing of the implant wound and the integration of the device.
After the placement of a dental implant, bone cells grow around the device. This process, which is called osseointegration, connects the implant with the jawbone to ensure that the implant is securely in place.
Once the implant wound has healed completely, the dental implant can be fitted with an abutment and then covered with a dental crown.
Although the implant-based restoration is quite natural-looking and functions like a natural tooth, some people are hesitant about receiving a dental implant. Thus, they procrastinate the scheduling of an implantation procedure.
Here are a few reasons why you should not delay receiving your implant after the loss of a tooth.
Shifting Teeth
The loss of a tooth leaves a space along your palate ridge, offering the abutment teeth enough room to migrate. The shifting of the teeth may result in a dental misalignment.
When the tooth was present, it helped prevent nearby teeth from moving by acting as a barrier. A dental implant can also act as a barrier or place-keeper. However, if a long period passes between the loss of the tooth and the placement of the implant, there may be enough time for the neighboring teeth to shift.
Shrinking Jawbone
In addition to serving as a place-keeper, the missing tooth was also responsible for relaying the bite pressure of mastication to the bone of the jaw. The pressure stimulated the production of additional bone cells to help the jawbone remain thick. Once a tooth is lost, the lack of pressure can incite the atrophy of the jawbone.
If the jawbone becomes too thin, it cannot support the placement of an implant without a bone graft being performed first. Consequently, to avoid the grafting procedure, it is best to have the implant placed as soon after the tooth loss as possible.
To learn more about dental implants, schedule a consultation with the dentist in your local area.
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