CONSEQUENCES OF NON-TREATMENT

IN A HEALTHY, FULL JAW, ALL OUR TEETH ARE HELD SECURELY IN THE JAWBONE.

Disease, decay or trauma may lead to the loss of most or all one’s teeth.

Normal jaw with all teeth intact

Jaw with all teeth lost

WHILE THE JAW CONTAINED TEETH, THE ROOTS STIMULATED THE BONE AND MAINTAINED THE JAW’S NATURAL SHAPE.

However, with no roots in place the jawbone will begin to resorb, or shrink, because it no longer serves the purpose that nature intended.

Normal jaw bone structure

Jaw with bone loss

MANY YEARS OF BONE LOSS MAY CAUSE YOUR FACE TO CHANGE: YOUR MOUTH AND JAW APPEAR TO COLLAPSE, YOUR LIPS LOOK THINNER, AND THERE IS AN INCREASE IN WRINKLES NEAR THE MOUTH AND NECK.

In order to avoid suffering these consequences, there are various implant treatments available that closely resemble the characteristics of natural teeth and virtually stop all bone loss.

Female profile: Normal jaw (left) and jaw with bone loss (right)

Male profile: Normal jaw (left) and jaw with bone loss (right)

DENTAL IMPLANT TREATMENT

IF YOU HAVE LOST ALL OF YOUR TEETH, THERE ARE VARIOUS TOOTH REPLACEMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE.

Possible treatments include a removable dentures and an implant-based treatment.

Removable dentures sit loosely over your gums, with no secure connection to the jawbone.

Dental implants are secured to the jaw bone, replacing the function of your natural tooth roots.

OVER THE YEARS THE DENTURE MAY NEED REMODELING SO THAT IT FITS THE CHANGING SHAPE OF THE JAW.

That’s because dentures do not prevent bone loss, which begins as soon as you lose your teeth.

A removable denture is custom fitted to each patients jawbone, but as it shrinks over time, the removable denture becomes loose. This movement may cause soreness of gums, difficulty in chewing, and trouble speaking.

With bone loss it becomes increasingly difficult to stabilize the denture. The remaining bone may not be thick enough to protect one of the jaw’s main nerves from the pressures of biting and chewing. This type of pressure may cause extreme pain and discomfort. This can be very frustrating for a patient who experiences this cycle of denture maintenance for many years.

DENTAL IMPLANTS ARE A MORE ADVANCED TREATMENT THAT FEELS AND FUNCTIONS LIKE YOUR NATURAL TEETH, WITHOUT THE BONE LOSS THAT RESULTS FROM OTHER TREATMENTS.

The only proven way to prevent or stop bone loss is to replace your natural tooth roots with dental implants. Dental implants will provide you with a stable and long-term solution that reduces pain, discomfort, instability, and bone loss that denture patients experience.

There are various dental implant treatment options, depending on your needs. If you are determined to be a good candidate for dental implants, your doctor will advise you about your options.

Three-implant fixed bridge

Four-implant fixed bridge