Tooth loss can lead to significant changes in your oral health. One major result is jawbone resorption, where the bone breaks down due to a lack of stimulation. In fact, about two-thirds of the jawbone and gum tissue can be affected within three months of losing a tooth. Normally, tooth roots anchor into the jaw and provide pressure when chewing, which keeps the bone healthy. Without these roots, the jawbone loses the necessary stimulation it needs as a living tissue, which relies on constant renewal and repair. When the bone goes unstimulated, the body interprets it as no longer essential, halting new tissue production. This leads to bone loss and functional issues. At Brockley Dental Center, we offer mini implants as an effective way to replace missing teeth and prevent jawbone resorption, supporting lasting oral health.
Mini Implants vs. Conventional Implants
Dental implants are titanium posts that support crowns, bridges, and dentures.
Traditional implants measure about 5 millimeters in diameter and require an incision into the gums to reveal the bone underneath. Then, a series of increasingly larger drills is used to create a hole big enough for the implant. Because this surgical procedure is invasive, the jawbone must fully heal around the implant post before the other components are attached. The extended healing periods and prolonged timeline make the process time-consuming and costly.
Mini dental implants, however, are less than 3 millimeters in diameter. Because of their smaller size, they are an ideal option for anyone suffering from bone loss, as they don’t require as much bone as traditional implants. Narrow-diameter implants also have a less invasive placement process. Our experienced team does not need to make any incisions to place mini implants. Additionally, because of their one-piece design, we can place these implants in one appointment! Mini dental implants are also considered immediate load implants, which means they are stable enough to support restorations as soon as we place them in the bone.
If you want to maintain your jaw health or prevent further deterioration after tooth loss, mini dental implants offer a reliable solution.
How Mini Implants Maintain Jawbone Health
When you lose teeth, your jawbone lacks essential stimulation from biting and chewing, which leads to bone loss. Over time, this results in a gradual decrease in bone mass and changes in your jaw’s structure. Jawbone resorption can have serious consequences, including:
- Unsported facial tissue: The jawbone supports your facial muscles and tissues, so as it deteriorates, your face shape will change.
- Cosmetic consequences: Jawbone resorption causes sunken cheeks, thinning lips, and excessive wrinkling.
- Difficulty chewing: With missing teeth and a weakened jaw, it is more difficult to chew tougher or harder foods, potentially impacting your diet and leading to overall health problems.
- Trouble speaking: Bone loss and changes in facial structure can affect speech. The entire oral cavity, including the tongue and cheeks, has less support, which can impact pronunciation.
Jawbone stimulation can’t occur without tooth roots, so we use dental implants to act as artificial ones. The titanium posts stabilize your restoration and stimulate your jawbone when you chew! At Brockley Dental Center, we place mini implants because they are the less invasive and more efficient way to replace missing teeth and maintain jawbone health.
Schedule a Consultation at Brockley Dental Center Today!
Tooth loss quickly leads to jawbone deterioration, so it’s important to replace your missing teeth quickly. Using mini implants, we can prevent bone loss and restore your smile! These sleek one-piece titanium posts create an artificial tooth root that supports your restoration. They not only restore your bite function and improve your smile—they also stimulate your jawbone, maintaining its long-term health.
If left unchecked, bone resorption could lead to unwanted cosmetic changes and difficulty eating and speaking. That’s why it’s important to schedule a consultation at Brockley Dental Center as soon as possible after tooth loss. Ready to take control of your oral health? Contact us today to explore how mini implants can change your life!
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