Missing back teeth is fairly common, with 70% of the U.S. population missing either one or multiple back, molar teeth. Many Americans go about their daily lives without giving much thought to them, but there are hidden dangers that come with missing teeth.
Although some may believe missing teeth is merely a cosmetic issue, it’s also a hygienic health issue that can compromise the integrity of your remaining teeth and jaw. Losing teeth can affect the alveolar bone, which teeth are connected to in your jawbone. The presence of teeth stimulates it with stress caused by chewing. Without these constant stresses the alveolar bone gradually atrophies due to the absence of teeth.
The alveolar bone width around a tooth can decrease up to 25% in as little as year if the tooth is missing.
When the bone and enough teeth are lost, your ability to chew normally and speak is severely hindered. Additionally, losing teeth and jawbone mass can affect your facial features cosmetically, making you appear older than you really are.
The only way to fix this problem with near-guaranteed success is with dental implants.
Fixing the Problem with Dental Implants
The dental implant process prevents the loss of bone mass as dental implants are fused to the alveolar bone, giving it the stress and structure it needs to maintain its shape. Dental implants are a fairly minor surgical procedure where an orthodontic surgeon will properly sedate you before the surgery begins to minimize pain.
The surgeon then makes small incisions in the site where your missing tooth is located to allow access to the alveolar bone. The surgeon then drills into the site until it’s properly sized for the implant to ensure a precise fit. The implant is then inserted into the empty cavity and bonded to alveolar bone. The surgeon then ensures that the gum flaps are enclosed around the implant just like normal teeth to finish the bonding process and prevent infection.
It’s important to note that for surgery to commence the patient must keep their gums and teeth healthy with daily brushing and flossing. Unhealthy teeth can complicate the procedure or prevent a surgeon from clearing a patient for the procedure in the pre-surgery phase.
The success rate of the procedure is high (between 95 – 97%) and is recommended as the ideal solution to address the issues associated with missing teeth.
Receive Dental Implants with Greater Louisville Oral and Maxillofacial
Don’t let your missing back teeth become a greater health issue. Contact Greater Louisville Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates, P.S.C. to replace one or more of your missing teeth and preserve the overall quality of your oral health.
At Greater Louisville, we’ll examine your gums to determine if you’re a good candidate for dental implant surgery utilizing X-rays and physical examinations of your mouth to make an accurate assessment. Our dental surgeons have the expertise and experience to ensure your dental implant procedure is a success, providing direction and guidance both before and after the procedure has been completed.
Greater Louisville Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates, P.S.C. 