When you are missing teeth, your jawbone will actually begin to shrink. Your face will take on an aged appearance and sunken cheeks. This is called facial collapse, and it isn’t an overnight process, but the change in appearance can be quite concerning. Facial collapse is not a purely aesthetic issue, either. Deterioration of the jaw causes discomfort, and trouble eating, not to mention physical embarrassment over the impressions your incomplete smile and sunken in cheeks might be making on others. Fortunately, you can prevent facial collapse from ever happening when you opt for innovative dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are one of the best ways to replace missing teeth. Titanium fixtures are surgically implanted into the jaw bone to provide an attachment point for one or more prosthetic teeth. Implant dentures are color matched to your existing teeth, and then attached to the supporting posts to give you a natural looking smile. Dental implants are convenient because you can eat with them and clean them just like your natural teeth.
How do Implant Dentures Relate to Facial Collapse?
Firmly anchored teeth are a beacon to minerals and nutrients that keep your jawbone healthy. When teeth are missing, your body will redirect the minerals and nutrients elsewhere in the body. Traditional dentures only give the appearance of healthy teeth. The body still senses that your teeth are missing from the root. Classic denture wearers are likely to experience facial collapse over time. Not only is this disconcerting from a physical standpoint, but the change in facial structure will also affect how their dentures fit. Implant dentures provide the same signal for minerals and nutrients as natural tooth roots, so facial collapse will not occur in a dental implant patient.
Visit your Des Moines Dentist
Do you have missing teeth and signs of facial collapse? Are you interested in learning more about dental implants? Call Gateway Dental Group today at (515) 244-9565. Dr. Burds serves patients in Sherman Hill, River Bend, Kirkwood Glen, East Village, and the communities surrounding Des Moines.