Tooth loss is not just an aesthetic problem. Sure, having gaps in your smile can affect your self-esteem and confidence but other more serious issues can occur after losing a tooth. Thankfully, modern dentistry offers several ways to deal with this issue and one of the most recommended ones is dental implants in Winnipeg. In this article, you will learn about this dental procedure and when the right time for it is.
What causes tooth loss?
There are many causes of tooth loss, but some of the most common ones are tooth decay, gum disease, and physical trauma. At least two of these causes are preventable through good oral health habits, and that is why these are repeated time after time by dentists. Also, regular checkups with a dentist near you can help treat these conditions early on to avoid complications.
Why is tooth loss a big deal?
Sometimes, we forget about all the things our teeth help us do. We often think that their functions are limited to biting and chewing food. Even when we just consider this aspect, tooth loss seems like a nightmare. The more teeth you lose, the harder it is to eat and the more you will have to modify your diet until you can only eat soft foods.
However, teeth have other functions in the body and an example of that is the role they have in speech. Many letters require a full set of teeth for their correct pronunciation. Therefore, people who have experienced tooth loss tend to develop lisps. Also, teeth are very important for social interactions and losing them can affect your self-confidence and cause you to isolate yourself from others.
These are not the only things affected by tooth loss since there is a more anatomical complication that comes with it. From the moment you lose a tooth, the tissues that support it start to degenerate. Thus, your gums and jawbone start to shrink. The jawbone requires the stimulus of your teeth to promote bone growth and the lack of this stimulus results in its deterioration. Therefore, it is vital to keep this tissue stimulated and dental implants in Winnipeg are the solution for this.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are a type of tooth replacement that looks and feels just like your natural teeth. They have three parts: the body, the abutment, and the crown. The body is an artificial titanium screw that is inserted into your gums and serves just like the root of a natural tooth would. The crown is the visible part of the implant, which looks just like the rest of your teeth. The abutment serves to connect the body and the crown. If you decide to undergo this procedure at a dental clinic in Winnipeg, your dentist will perform this surgery in several sessions. First, they will insert the body into your gums and jawbone, and wait until it has healed completely. This is done to ensure that the implant will stay in place and will be able to handle the pressure and not move. In subsequent sessions, your dentist will attach the abutment and the crown to the body and after that, there will be no difference between your natural teeth and your dental implant.
When is the right time?
It is common to ask yourself when the right time for dental implants near you is… and the truth is that the sooner you undergo the procedure the better. By inserting a dental implant, you are preventing the deterioration of your jawbone, because the screw that blends into it gives it the stimulus it needs to promote bone growth. Also, your quality of life will improve considerably.