The Risks of Missing Teeth and the Benefits of Dental Implants

Remember how losing a tooth as a kid was a big deal? We couldn’t wait for the tooth fairy’s visit—it was like a rite of passage! Fast forward to adulthood; missing a tooth isn’t nearly as exciting. Instead of dreaming about fairy visits, we worry about our smiles and their impact on our daily lives. When faced with the reality of missing teeth, a series of questions often arise: What does this mean for my health? What are the best options for replacing missing teeth? What are the costs involved? With the multitude of options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Finding a solution that aligns best with your needs can be challenging. But what if we told you there was a tooth replacement solution that solves many of your problems?

At Carolina Dental Arts, your journey to a new smile with dental implants is much smoother than you might think.

The Risks That Come With Missing Teeth

Gaps left by missing teeth often make us feel self-conscious about our smile. But did you know that other issues also arise from tooth loss?

Shifting Teeth

When a tooth is lost, adjacent ones naturally drift into the space. This movement disrupts your dental alignment, causing them to become crooked. A misaligned bite leads to uneven pressure when you chew, resulting in discomfort and increased wear on certain teeth. Additionally, the new positioning makes flossing and cleaning more difficult, increasing the risk of decay and gum disease. These changes can create a domino effect, making it more likely for you to lose additional teeth over time.

Bone Loss

When teeth are missing, the jawbone in that area begins to deteriorate due to lack of stimulation. The alveolar bone is the part of the jawbone that supports and surrounds the teeth. When a tooth is lost, the alveolar bone that previously supported that tooth begins to resorb or break down. Teeth constantly stimulate the surrounding alveolar bone through the forces generated during chewing and biting. This stimulation is necessary to maintain the bone’s structure and density. Without the stimulation provided by a natural tooth, the alveolar bone undergoes disuse atrophy, causing it to deteriorate and gradually lose volume over time. This bone loss weakens the jaw and alters your facial structure, leading to a sunken appearance.

What Are My Options to Replace Missing Teeth?

Many options exist for replacing missing teeth; the best choice depends on your needs. Conventional dentures rest on your gums, while dental bridges use neighboring teeth for support. While both improve your smile, they don’t prevent bone loss in the jaw. Additionally, dentures can slip, irritate gums, and make eating difficult. Bridges also require altering healthy teeth for placement. So, Is there a tooth replacement option that safeguards your oral health, replaces missing teeth, and helps to prevent bone loss? Is there a solution that checks all the boxes? The answer lies with dental implants.

Dental implants are a modern solution for missing teeth. We place a small titanium post into your jawbone, which functions as a natural tooth root. Once securely in place, we attach a crown, bridge, or denture that looks and feels just like your real teeth. This process creates a strong, stable foundation for your replacement tooth, ensuring it stays in place. Unlike conventional dentures or bridges, dental implants prevent bone loss and maintain the structure of your jaw.

What Are My Implant Options?

Dental implants are a reliable way to replace missing teeth, but not all implants are the same. Traditional implants are about 5 millimeters in diameter, while mini dental implants are less than 3 millimeters—roughly half the size. This smaller size makes placement quicker and healing faster. Traditional implants have several parts: a titanium post in the jawbone, an abutment connecting to the post, and a restoration on top. This construction requires several phases of implantation, completed over multiple visits.

Mini implants, however, have a simpler design. They are small, one-piece titanium posts with a ball-shaped end that sits above the gum line. Their size and design allow us to place them with a minimally invasive technique, involving only a small hole in the gums with little bleeding. One major benefit of mini implants is their “immediate loading” ability. They are stable right after placement, allowing eligible patients to walk into our office and leave the same day with a secure smile.

Missing Teeth? Discover Reliable Solutions at Carolina Dental Arts

Take control of your smile’s future with Carolina Dental Arts! We understand that choosing the right tooth replacement solution can be overwhelming, but we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Whether you’re in Durham, Raleigh, or Goldsboro, our team is ready to help you explore your dental implant options. Book your free consultation today and discover how easy it can be to achieve a stable, secure smile in just one visit!

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