Do you have a space in your mouth left by a missing tooth? You may not realize that teeth keep your jawbone strong. To avoid serious oral health problems, you need to replace that missing tooth. A dental implant may be your best choice.

Have you lost a tooth to decay, disease, or an accident? Aside from any cosmetic concerns, it’s important to close that gap.

At Advanced Dentistry in Sugar Land, Texas, our cosmetic and general dentists provide several types of replacements for missing teeth. All are good options, but the gold standard is a dental implant. Learn more about the implant option. 

Missing teeth impair your oral health 

Even one missing tooth can compromise your oral health. A missing tooth can lead to:

• Shifting teeth
• Bite changes
• Excessive or uneven wear on remaining teeth
• Impaired speaking and chewing
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, such as chronic headaches and jaw pain

If you have a missing tooth, your facial structure can change through a process called remodeling. 

Your bones, including your jawbone, are constantly building new cells. Your body creates new jawbone cells when you bite and chew. An empty space in your mouth keeps new cells from developing. Your body reabsorbs the unused bone. 

As your bone disappears, various physical changes affect your bite and facial structure. These include a collapsed mouth and recessed jaw. And you’re at risk of losing even more teeth. 

An implant provides a strong artificial tooth

Your teeth extend deep into your jawbone, providing a stable structure for your mouth and chin. 

A dental implant provides a strong tooth “root.” Getting one requires a few steps that may take about six months from start to finish.

Your dentist first fills the space left by the missing tooth, implanting a titanium post into your jawbone. Don’t worry: You won’t feel the procedure; we numb your entire mouth. If you’re anxious, we offer oral sedation in the form of a pill, nitrous oxide, or IV sedation. 

After your dentist places the titanium post, your jaw needs time to heal. But in a few months, the post becomes a stable structure. Your dentist then attaches a crown to the post using a small piece called an abutment. The only thing visible in your mouth is the custom-made crown.

The advantages of an implant include: 

• Greater comfort
• A secure fit and stability
• A natural-looking and functioning artificial tooth

Your new replacement tooth can last a lifetime. You care for it like you do your natural teeth, brushing and flossing twice a day and getting regular professional cleanings.

Call Advanced Dentistry or book an appointment online today to determine if an implant is right for you.