Patients seeking treatment for tooth loss can find an effective, permanent solution with dental implants. Implants restore oral function and enhance the appearance of your smile if you are missing teeth. Dental implants are also the best treatment option to prevent bone loss in the jaw and encourage bone regeneration. Learn more about the role of dental implants and jawbone health with Dr. Elise Brace, a dentist in Cary, NC. 
What happens to jawbone after tooth loss?
If you are missing one or more teeth due to deteriorating oral health or trauma to the mouth, you will notice decreased oral abilities, including eating or speaking. You may also be dissatisfied with the look of your smile if there are gaps where the teeth are absent. When you are missing a tooth, the tooth root is also gone and is no longer stimulating the jawbone. Without this stimulus, the jawbone is prone to deterioration. The loss of jawbone can lead to the appearance of facial sagging.
How do implants help bone health?
When you receive dental implants, your dentist will surgically place a titanium post into the jaw to support the implant. Once this is healed, your dentist will secure a prosthetic tooth or crown to an abutment above the gum line. You will see improved oral function as well as an enhanced smile as a result. The post in the jaw also substitutes the stimulus of a tooth root, which prevents jawbone loss. Its presence also encourages regeneration of jawbone that may have already been lost while the tooth was absent.
Can my jaw support dental implants?
Because the implant requires the support of the titanium post placed into the jaw, you will need a strong jawbone to provide a stable foundation for a dental implant. If you have lost too much jawbone due to tooth loss, you may not be able to receive dental implants. In this case, your dentist may recommend a bone graft to create additional support in the jaw or they might suggest an alternative tooth replacement treatment. Your dentist can evaluate your eligibility for dental implants during a consultation and dental examination.
Dental implants available in Cary, NC
Kildaire Family and Cosmetic Dentistry provides dental implants and other restorative dental treatments to patients in Cary, NC. Dr. Brace also specializes in cosmetic and general dentistry for patients of all ages. To schedule an appointment with us, contact our office online or reach us by phone at 919.246.4620.