If you have missing teeth, you may have noticed the changes that have occurred to your smile. Your jaw may feel weaker, your other teeth may have shifted, and some foods may be harder to chew. These struggles can have a significant impact on your oral health and your self-confidence. The team at Jackson Oral Surgery in Metairie, LA, may be able to help restore your smile with prosthetic options, but first you may need jawbone grafting done for additional support.
Common Causes Of Tooth Loss
Losing a tooth, or several of your teeth, as an adult could be a side effect of a significant oral health issue. One of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults is periodontal disease, which is an infection of the gums. You may be able to prevent gum disease with a proper oral hygiene routine. If you have symptoms of periodontal disease, such as swollen and red gums, talk to your dentist as soon as possible to create a maintenance routine. Serious decay and injuries are also common reasons that a person may have lost one of their pearly whites. Regardless of the reason, you should talk to your dentist as soon as possible if you have lost a tooth or have a seriously damaged structure.
Jawbone Grafting For Stability
Dental implants are an ideal solution to replace your missing teeth because they not only replace the visible part of your tooth but the root as well. This can help stimulate your jawbone and protect it from weakening over time. However, before you can have dental implants inserted into the jawbone, you may need bone grafting done for extra stability in the area. Grafting material will be added to the areas that need more support, such as the upper jaw near the sinuses (sinus lift) or around the site of a tooth extraction (socket grafting). The area may require a few months to heal before the post can be inserted into the jawbone.
Replacing Missing Teeth With Implants
After the bone grafting has healed, it’s time to discuss the next steps of receiving your dental implants. Depending on which teeth need replacement, we will strategically place titanium posts throughout your smile. These posts recreate the roots of your missing teeth, which help stimulate the jawbone and improve functions like chewing and talking. After the post has fused to the bone, the abutment and crown can then be added, and you can show off your new smile. Dental implants can last for many, many years with very little maintenance aside from your daily oral hygiene routine.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Before you can receive dental implants, you may need jawbone grafting. To learn more or schedule a consultation, contact Jackson Oral Surgery in Metairie, LA, today at (504) 455-7161.