What Happens When You Lose Teeth?

One major danger related to untreated periodontal disease is tooth loss. Which is why when you lose teeth to gum disease, we want to help by placing one or more dental implants. In today’s blog, your Encinitas/San Diego, CA, periodontist talks about our approach to dental implant placement and how we aid the process with dental lasers.

The Link Between Tooth Loss and Periodontal Disease

Gum disease actually grows more severe with time, and you could eventually reach a stage known as periodontitis. At this point, the connective tissues between your teeth and gums are severed, which can lead to tooth loss. Our team can help manage the disease with laser dentistry, so you avoid periodontitis and tooth loss. But once you lose your teeth, you need replacement with options like dental implants. This can help fill the gap and keep your jawbone and facial structure intact as well.

Dental Implants

When you have missing teeth, this can complicate how you eat and speak. But did you know the body will also limit the flow of calcium and phosphorus to the area where the jawbone has weakened? When this happens, the jawbone loses mass and density, which can lead to further tooth loss and eventually, an older appearance. But dental implants are biocompatible titanium posts that we insert directly onto the jaw, where they act like new teeth. We choose the best angle, position, and depth, and then guide them in place with advanced technology. Lasers can be used to prepare the area and destroy the presence of harmful bacteria. Once there, the body accepts them as new roots, so you have a base that can support new teeth for decades to come, possibly a lifetime.

Completing Your New Smile

Once the placement area heals for an individual dental implant, we will attach an abutment to the post that extends above the gum line. We then connect a dental crown to it, one custom-made to ensure a balanced bite and a lifelike appearance, blending with your smile. If you have a more substantial case of tooth loss, then our team could use several posts to support a dental bridge or even a complete set of dentures!

If you have any questions about how our team will tackle missing teeth and offer a replacement option that can last for decades to come with proper care and attention, or about laser dentistry, then contact our team today. We want to help you enjoy healthy gums and a full smile, so talk to our team soon!

Schedule Your Visit to Address Your Missing Teeth

Our team wants to help treat your tooth loss with durable and lifelike dental implants, so you can feel confident in your smile and also enjoy your favorite foods again! To learn more about protecting your gum health and smile stability, call Dr. Ann Kania in Encinitas, CA, today at 760-642-0711.