Dental Implants Preserve Bone

Anterior Tooth Loss and Bone Resorption

When a tooth is lost or removed in the front of the mouth, where the bone is very thin, the bone will usually melt away rather quickly, giving the appearance that the bone and gums are caving in, or collapsing. Very often, this defect is visible when smiling.

If a front tooth is replaced with a tooth supported bridge, eventually the replacement tooth looks like a false tooth as the gums and bone above the bridge begin to collapse, leaving the false tooth suspended without support. When a tooth is replaced with an implant-supported crown, the implant functions like a natural tooth root and preserves the bone, preventing the defect in the bone that would normally occur with tooth loss.

Posterior Tooth Loss and Bone Resorption

When all of the posterior teeth are missing, the back of the mouth actually collapses as the bone deteriorates. The teeth in the front of the mouth begin to flare out as the bite collapses and the corners of the mouth droop. Facial appearance begins to change as the height of the jaw decreases.

If posterior teeth are replaced with a partial denture, the bone resorption process is accelerated as the partial presses down on the gums and underlying bone when eating. Replacing the posterior teeth with implant supported bridges preserves the bone, preventing the bone deterioration that leads to bite collapse, which occurs when teeth are missing.

Complete Tooth Loss and Facial Structure Collapse

When all of the teeth are missing, the jaws deteriorate rapidly. In addition, as the bone melts away the muscles migrate, or pull back from their natural position. The lips cave in as they lose support and wrinkles increase dramatically as the facial structures collapse. Complete tooth loss and the deterioration of the jaws can also result in significant overall health problems related to improper digestion and malnutrition.

If missing teeth are replaced with dentures, facial structures are compromised. Dentures accelerate the bone resorption process as they put pressure on and compact the gums and underlying bone. As facial structures continue to collapse, the dentures must be relined (made thicker) to compensate for additional bone loss. Replacing teeth with implant retained overdentures (or bridges) will preserve the bone and prevent the further deterioration of facial structures and the related health problems that would normally occur with complete tooth loss.

If missing teeth are replaced with dentures, facial structures are compromised. Dentures accelerate the bone resorption process as they put pressure on and compact the gums and underlying bone. As facial structures continue to collapse, the dentures must be relined (made thicker) to compensate for additional bone loss. Replacing teeth with implant retained overdentures (or bridges) will preserve the bone and prevent the further deterioration of facial structures and the related health problems that would normally occur with complete tooth loss.