Why Your Face Changes with Tooth Loss
So why exactly does your face change after losing teeth? It has to do with your jaw bone. The jaw bone is what holds your teeth in place in your jaw. When you lose your teeth, there is no longer anything in your jaw to stimulate the jaw bone. As a result, the jaw bone will begin to resorb, and bone density will decrease. What many people don’t know is that the jaw bone doesn’t just hold teeth in place, it also supports the facial structure of the lower third of your face. This includes your chin, mouth, and cheeks.
Without the support your facial structure needs, it will start to cave in. This may cause you to experience side effects such as:
- A sunken in appearance
- Wrinkles around the mouth
- Flat cheeks
- Thinner lips
- Loose, sagging skin under the chin and/or on the neck
If you experience the symptoms listed above and you have missing teeth, don’t consider plastic surgery. Plastic surgery does not address the root of the problem. Dental implants can provide you with a secure tooth replacement while also rejuvenating your facial appearance.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are simply the best tooth-replacement option on the market. They are surgically inserted into the jaw bone and function just like tooth roots. The dental implants also stimulate the jaw just like natural teeth meaning they will prevent bone loss. A single dental implant can replace a single tooth, or multiple dental implants can be used to replace multiple teeth or a full arch. Generally, four to six dental implants are needed per arch depending on the patient. If your jaw doesn’t have sufficient bone, a bone graft might be necessary first. After placing the dental implant, your Columbus implant dentist will attach a dental crown, bridge, or denture.
The implant will then hold the replacement tooth or teeth in place. They will then function similarly to natural teeth! You don’t have to deal with adhesives or removable replacement teeth.
Top Reasons to Get Dental Implants
So should you take the plunge and upgrade your replacement teeth with dental implants? If you do, you will experience a handful of amazing benefits including the following