The root of your tooth is embedded in your jaw where it serves a number of functions. One of these functions is to hold your tooth firmly in place. Another is to send signals to your body that bone is necessary in a specific area to properly support the tooth.
When a tooth falls out or is extracted the root in lost as well. With the loss of the root comes the loss of signals that bone is needed and, without these signals, your body absorbs the minerals around the missing tooth for use elsewhere. When minerals are reabsorbed by the body, the jaw changes shape, commonly known as shrinkage or jaw collapse.
If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to learn about your tooth replacement options, please contact Scott Young, DDS or call 832-610-3123 to schedule an evaluation with Texas dentist Dr. Scott Young. Preventing Jaw Shrinkage Most forms of tooth replacement deal with the missing tooth, but not its root. However, dental implants address both issues, making them the only form of tooth replacement that can prevent jaw shrinkage. Inserted directly into your jaw, dental implants become accepted as a new tooth root. This provides benefits such as a stronger hold for your restorations and the preservation of your natural facial structure.
To learn more about the benefits of dental implants, please contact our experienced Houston implant dentist today. We serve patients in Houston, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Spring, and Conroe, Texas.