3 Reasons Your Dentist May Suggest A Dental Implant To Replace An Extracted Tooth

Some decayed teeth cannot be salvaged by a root canal or a large dental filling. The only option for some teeth may be an extraction. If you have to have a tooth extracted, you may be concerned about the cosmetic and oral health implications of having a lost tooth. One tooth-replacement option that your dentist may offer is a dental implant restoration. Here are a few reasons why:

Maintains Jawbone Density

The density of your jawbone is maintained through stimulation. As you bite with a tooth, the dental roots of the tooth transfer pressure to the jawbone, providing stimulation that promotes the development of new bone cells. Many tooth-replacement options do not provide bone stimulation because they rest above the gum line. Dental implants are different. They are positioned inside the bone of the jaw. This positioning allows the implant restoration to stimulate the jawbone as a natural tooth root does. 

Restores the Look of Your Teeth

Once a tooth is lost, it leaves a gap that causes your teeth to look less uniform. The marring of your smile can cause you to feel less confident about your appearance. A dental implant that is used to replace a single tooth is often topped by a connecting mechanism and a dental crown.

The shade of a tooth-colored crown can be matched to the color of your other teeth. Additionally, the contours of the crown are custom-designed to fit the proportions of your mouth, so the look of the implant restoration is completely natural.

Restores Chewing Ability

One of the primary functions of the dental implant is the restoration of your chewing ability. Unlike a denture that may move about as you chew, a dental implant is as stable as a natural tooth. Thus, it can withstand the same bite pressure that a natural tooth can.

You can eat what you want, as long as it is not contraindicated for a natural tooth. Nevertheless, ice chips, pen tops and jaw-breaking candy should still be off the menu. 

After a dental implant is placed, it goes through a healing process called osseointegration, which attaches the bone of the jaw to the dental implant. The fusing of the implanted screw or rod to the jawbone makes the implant as secure in the tooth as a natural tooth root.

To learn more about dental implants and how they can be used to replace lost teeth, schedule an appointment with a dentist, such as Tijeras Dental Service, in your area.