This post from Ray McKinley DDS & Brittany McKinley-Holloway DDS in Shelby Township focuses on missing teeth and bone health.
Our teeth have many critical functions. We need them to chew food, talk, and smile. But have you ever considered their role in holding up your face? When we lose teeth, the bone around the site of the extraction begins to loosen. This, in turn, causes our facial muscles to sink in and collapse.
Bone Metabolism
We sometimes think of bone as a solid mass. But below the seemingly rock-hard surface, bone tissue is full of small holes, kind of like a sponge.
In its interior the bone is constantly regenerating itself. This process is sometimes called “bone metabolism.” In the jaw bone, the movement of the teeth stimulates this process of rebuilding. When the tooth is gone, the bone starts to shrink as blood flow is reduced.
People with missing teeth not only have an unsightly gap in their smile, they begin to look older because of the bone recession and eventual facial sagging. It is not simply an issue of attractiveness—it poses serious health perils. It may become difficult to chew food, making it harder to get correct nutrition.
Dental Implants Can Prevent Bone Recession
Modern dentistry to the rescue! Dental implant technology delivers a tooth restoration solution that preserves healthy bone metabolism while providing near-normal tooth function. For people missing many (or all) of their teeth, it may not be possible to replace every single tooth with a permanent dental implant. In many of these cases, dental implants can be used to provide an anchor for a partial denture.
What if your bone has shrunk so much that there is not enough to support a tooth implant? You may be a candidate for bone augmentation or bone grafting. This procedure is routinely performed with success.
Dental implants from Ray McKinley DDS & Brittany McKinley-Holloway DDS in Shelby Township can transform your life. We also provide general dentistry. Schedule your next checkup with us today.
Contact Ray McKinley DDS & Brittany McKinley-Holloway DDS — McKinley General, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry
586-685-0880
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
45665 Village Blvd
Shelby Township, Michigan
48315
