Hello,
I’ve heard that dental implants can cause bone erosion. I am 60 years old and have always been in pretty good dental health. But a few years ago, I had to have two teeth extracted. And now it seems like I have one tooth standing all by itself and there is space on each side and the gum looks like it is receding in the area around the lone tooth. Do you think I should get a dental bridge?
- Janice from Michigan
Janice,
Dental implants actually prevent the erosion of bone or what is otherwise known as bone resorption. But you are correct that when you are missing teeth your body resorbs the minerals to be used elsewhere in the body which in turn causes bone loss. This process also contributes to the receding of your gumline that you mentioned and is not surprising after you have been missing teeth for a couple of years.
One of the great things about a dental implant is that when it is used to replace a tooth, the body senses the implant is there and will not dissolve away the bone. So implants actually prevent bone loss.
Although, based on what you have described it doesn’t necessarily mean that dental implants are your best option. There are many factors that will come into play like how much bone you actually have left in that area, the location of surrounding nerves, where your sinuses are, and other issues. It would be beneficial in your decision-making process to meet with an experienced implant dentist. He or she would be able to give you specific recommendations for your case. If the implant doesn’t sound like it will work well, a dental bridge should work just fine.
This post is sponsored by Cleveland implant dentist Hylan Dental Care.
Related links: facial collapse, dental implant vs. bridge
Tags: bone loss around tooth, Dental Bridge, dental implant, Facial Collapse, implant dentist, implant dentistry