More Than a Pretty Smile: How Implants Support Your Health
A complete, attractive smile does wonders for confidence, but the advantages of dental implants go well beyond appearance. At Family Dentistry of Yorktown, Dr. Ken Wachs, DDS, and Dr. Jennifer Wachs, members of the American Dental Association, explain to patients that an implant replaces the root of a missing tooth as well as the visible crown. That root replacement helps stimulate and preserve the surrounding jawbone, which tends to shrink after a tooth is lost. Implants also help keep neighboring teeth from drifting into the gap and make it easier to chew a wide range of healthy foods. Whether you are missing a single tooth or several, options such as single implants, an implant-supported bridge, or implant-supported dentures can help restore function and protect your oral health for years to come.
Considering implants? Call Family Dentistry of Yorktown at 914-245-9881 to talk with Dr. Ken Wachs about your options.
Why should I consider dental implants?
Implants are the best solution for simulating the look, feel, and function of natural teeth. Dental implants do much more than replace missing teeth. They help maintain and strengthen bone structure, provide the ability to chew healthy food and give patients the confidence to smile. They also protect existing teeth by helping to preserve bone structure.
What happens when a tooth is lost?
Once a tooth is lost, several things begin to happen that are not immediately noticeable to a patient and can have a significant negative effect on both health and appearance. Tooth roots help hold teeth in place, but they are also critical in maintaining health in the surrounding gums and supporting bone structures. Bone loss in the jawbone is one significant problem that naturally occurs once a tooth is lost. This bone loss can compromise the integrity of neighboring tooth roots and tooth stability, and it is also a large part of what causes the “sunken” look that is seen in people who have lost several or all of their teeth. It is the reason patients who wear dentures find that over time their dentures are harder and harder to fit and keep in place.
How can dental implants help prevent bone loss?
Dental implant placement can help generate bone growth in the area around the implant, which not only strengthens the bone and builds support, but can also alleviate the sunken look that can occur with bone loss in the jaw. This process is known as osseointegration and is a significant benefit of implant placement because it can also help prevent future bone loss.
