Why You Should Stimulate the Jaw Bone with Dental Implants

Healthy teeth are more than just an aesthetic feature. Healthy teeth and gums play an essential role in overall well-being. When a tooth is lost or a missing tooth is not replaced, it can compromise the jaw bone, leading to a number of significant problems, including changing facial structure, headaches, limited access to nutrition, and difficulty with clear speech. When you are missing a tooth, dental implants are a recommended option by leading experts. At The Perio Centre, our trusted periodontist in Oshawa recommends high-quality dental implants that can restore the appearance and function of your smile over time by preserving the bone density of your jaw. 

To learn more about the importance of keeping your jaw stimulated with dental implants, read on. For more insight on tooth replacement options, book a consultation with Dr. Adam Ohayon and The Perio Centre team. 

The Role of the Tooth Root in the Jaw

The jaw bone acts as the anchor for your teeth, ensuring they remain stable and functional. Every time you chew, the pressure transfers from your teeth into the bone, stimulating it and maintaining its density. This process keeps the jaw bone healthy and strong.

When a tooth is lost, the area of the jaw bone beneath it no longer receives stimulation. Over time, the bone in that spot begins to shrink, a process called bone resorption. This loss of bone doesn’t just affect the immediate area; it can also weaken nearby teeth and change the shape of your face. Without intervention, the shrinking bone may lead to a sunken appearance and other complications.

Replacing missing teeth with dental implants in Oshawa ensures that your jaw bone continues to receive the stimulation it needs, helping to maintain both your oral health and facial structure.

The Effects of Jaw Bone Resorption

Jaw bone resorption can have wide-ranging impacts on your health. Below are some of the most common consequences of untreated resorption:

• Changes to Facial Structure: When the jaw bone deteriorates, it can cause the lower face to collapse or take on a sunken appearance. This can result in early signs of aging, as the jaw no longer provides proper support for the skin, muscles, and tissues of the face. Over time, this can change how you look and lead to decreased self-confidence.
• Headaches and TMJ Disorders: Loss of jawbone density can throw off the alignment of the jaw, placing additional stress on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This stress can lead to chronic headaches, jaw pain, and difficulty with normal jaw movements. TMJ can become more severe without intervention, creating ongoing discomfort. In Oshawa, our periodontist, Dr. Adam Ohayon and our team of experts can help you manage TMJ disorders and tooth loss with dental implants. 
• Difficulty Eating and Accessing Nutrition: A jaw losing bone density can make it challenging to chew food properly, particularly harder or more nutritious options such as raw vegetables, nuts, or lean meats. This may force people to rely on softer, less nutritious foods, leading to an unbalanced diet and potential health complications over time.
• Speech Challenges: The loss of bone structure can also interfere with your ability to speak clearly. Teeth and jaw alignment play a key role in articulation, and as the bone diminishes, it can cause difficulties in forming words properly.

How Dental Implants Prevent Bone Loss

Dental implants are designed to function like natural teeth, including their ability to stimulate the jaw bone. Unlike traditional dentures or bridges, which sit on top of the gums, implants are surgically placed into the jaw bone. Once healed, the implant acts as an artificial root, transferring chewing forces directly to the bone.

This process helps to maintain bone density and prevent resorption. Over time, the area where the implant is placed remains healthy and stable, ensuring long-term support for your surrounding teeth and overall oral health.

Choosing dental implants in Oshawa is one of the most effective ways to preserve your jaw bone after tooth loss. 

Why Bridges and Dentures May Not Be Enough

While dentures and bridges can restore the appearance of a full smile, they do not engage with the bone the way implants do. As a result, bone resorption can continue unchecked, leading to further oral health problems down the road.

For those dealing with tooth loss, consulting with a periodontist in Oshawa is essential. A periodontist specializes in the health of your gums and jaw bone, ensuring you receive the right treatment to prevent long-term damage.

Most periodontists recommend dental implants over bridges and dentures because, in addition to stimulating the jaw bone, they are more comfortable and long-lasting.

Address Tooth and Bone Loss For a Healthier Smile with The Perio Centre

If you’ve been facing challenges with missing teeth and bone loss in the jaw, talk to Dr. Adam Ohayon and the experts at The Perio Centre. From diagnostic to treatment and follow-up, our team will help you get the most time and life out of your smile. For more information on dental implants, Book a consultation. 

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