Does implant placement improve the condition of tooth wear?

The most significant impact of tooth loss is bone resorption in the jaw, which leads to a loss of support for the lips and cheeks, resulting in wrinkles, sagging facial contours, sunken cheeks, and a collapsed mouth. Dental implantation is currently the most effective and comprehensive solution for restoring missing teeth. However, does dental implantation truly improve the sunken appearance caused by tooth loss?

Common causes of tooth loss

Tooth loss can occur at any age, but it is most common among middle-aged and older individuals. Regardless of the position on the dental arch, missing a single tooth can lead to numerous difficulties in daily life and have a significant impact on facial aesthetics.

The loss of one or more teeth can result from various causes, such as poor oral hygiene habits leading to dental diseases like cavities, gingivitis, pulpitis, and periodontitis that are not treated in time. Aging is also a common cause of tooth loss since the teeth and bones undergo degenerative changes with age. Bad habits like teeth grinding, smoking, etc., can cause enamel erosion and lead to gum inflammation, making the teeth weaker, more susceptible to movement, and gum recession.

Individuals with systemic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension also have an increased risk of permanent tooth loss as they have weaker immune systems, which make their teeth weaker and more prone to falling out. Additionally, tooth loss can result from accidents or injuries such as falling, collisions, fights, etc., leading to severe dental damage or permanent tooth loss. Some cases of missing teeth are due to congenital defects.

Why does tooth loss cause bone resorption?

According to the latest statistics from the Central Odonto-Stomatology Hospital, over 90% of Vietnamese citizens suffer from oral diseases, with tooth loss being the most serious impact on their health. The main consequence of tooth loss is significant bone resorption in the jaw. Our teeth are anchored in the jawbone, and during chewing, the force is transmitted to the bone cells around the tooth, stimulating the production of new bone.

If the teeth are healthy, this process of bone remodeling occurs regularly, but if they are lost, the stimulation for bone production is lost, and the bone cells responsible for producing new bone become less active. Over time, this leads to bone resorption, meaning that the jawbone becomes smaller and weaker.

Moreover, the jawbone provides support for the lips and cheeks, and as it resorbs, the lifting force on the lips and cheeks decreases, causing them to sag, wrinkle, and become hollow. The bone resorption also results in a shortened face in the vertical dimension, an increased prominence of the chin, a collapsed upper lip, a larger nose, and other facial changes that make a face appear aged, wrinkled, and less attractive.

This is why many people experience facial collapse and premature aging after prolonged tooth loss.

Can dental implant placement improve tooth resorption?

In terms of aesthetics, people with missing upper teeth often have sunken cheeks, while those with missing lower teeth often have their lips pushed in, resulting in a significantly older-looking face than people of the same age.

Moreover, the long-term effects of tooth loss can have serious consequences for both physical and mental health, such as:

• Reduced chewing function, affecting digestion
• Misalignment of remaining teeth, leading to further tooth loss
• Impaired speech and potential speech impediments
• Nerve damage, causing jaw joint disorders
• Negative impact on self-esteem, leading to weakened overall well-being and communication difficulties.

From these detrimental effects, it is evident that replacing missing teeth as soon as possible is crucial. Among the methods of tooth replacement, dental implants (also known as implantation, grafting, or placement) are the optimal and most effective solution, addressing issues such as jaw bone loss, tooth loss, and facial collapse that traditional dental restoration methods like removable dentures or dental bridges cannot resolve.

Dental implants involve inserting a titanium implant into the jaw bone as an artificial tooth root. The force of chewing is then transferred to the implant, stimulating the growth of new bone cells around the implant site.

Through this stimulation, bone density is maintained, facial structure is supported, and the reverse bite is prevented. Therefore, only dental implants can preserve the jawbone, prevent bone loss caused by tooth loss over time, and maintain the natural appearance of the face.

One important note is that the jawbone will gradually resorb over time, so replacing missing teeth with dental implants as early as possible makes the treatment process easier, increases the success rate, and maximizes the improvement of the facial collapse caused by long-term tooth loss.

Can a dental implant be placed for tooth loss with bone resorption and tooth decay over a long period of time?

After losing a tooth for about three months, the density of the jawbone will gradually decrease. Within the first 12 months, 25% of the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth will disappear. After about three years, the jawbone will have deteriorated by 45-60%.

In theory, those who have lost teeth for a long time and have significant jawbone deterioration may not be able to undergo implant surgery due to the lack of support for the implant post, which can lead to a high risk of failure. However, with the remarkable advancement in dentistry, those who have suffered significant bone loss and facial collapse due to long-term missing teeth can still safely and successfully undergo implant surgery through bone grafting techniques.

There are currently two common bone grafting techniques, autogenous bone grafting and artificial bone grafting. Autogenous bone grafting involves using bone from the patient’s own body, which can be sourced from the chin or angle of the jaw, the hip bone, etc. This technique has a relatively high success rate due to the integration of bone from the same body, which ensures good integration without the risk of rejection.

Artificial bone grafting involves using synthetic bone that originates from coral, which creates a space for the patient’s own bone to develop stably. After artificial bone grafting, the patient’s own bone will automatically develop by 1mm per month until it is sufficient for the implant post to be inserted.

For cases that require bone grafting before implant surgery, it is important to carefully research and choose a reputable dental clinic with a licensed and experienced team of dentists and professional anesthesiologists to ensure the best possible outcome.

How long does it take to complete the improvement of dental bone resorption with dental implant placement?

The process of dental implant placement to improve the condition of missing teeth is a topic that many people are interested in. In fact, the dental implant treatment process consists of two main stages: implant post-placement and implant-supported restoration.

The time required for implant post placement into the jawbone usually lasts around 20-30 minutes per post, in cases where bone grafting is unnecessary. For cases of full arch tooth loss, the implant placement time using the All On-X technique (All On-4, All On-6) can range from 120-150 minutes per arch.

After the implant post-placement, patients need to wait for 6-14 weeks for the implant post to biologically integrate with the body before the implant-supported restoration can be performed, completing the implant treatment process. The restoration process usually takes about 3-5 appointments, depending on each specific case.

It should also be noted that during the implant treatment process if patients require bone grafting, sinus lifting, or treatment for oral diseases such as gum inflammation or periodontitis, or other minor surgeries prior to restoration, the implant placement time may increase.

What factors does the duration of Implant placement to improve the condition of dental attrition depend on?

Implant placement is an optimal solution to replace long-term missing teeth or to replace newly extracted teeth due to various dental conditions such as decay, periodontitis, infection, or trauma. The duration of the implantation process to improve the condition of tooth loss can vary depending on the severity of tooth loss, the patient’s health status, the expertise of the dentist, and the quality of treatment at the dental facility.

More or less tooth loss

The duration of implant placement depends on the extent of tooth loss, whether it is a single tooth, multiple teeth, or complete edentulism. Especially for those who have suffered from long-term tooth loss, with sunken facial structure and inadequate jawbone to support implant placement, bone grafting, and sinus lifting may be necessary. The implant placement can only be carried out after the wound has healed, which may take longer.

The patient’s general health

The duration of dental implant placement to improve the condition of tooth loss also depends on the patient’s current health. Patients with normal health conditions usually require less time for implant placement. However, for those who suffer from dental diseases such as periodontitis, gingivitis, or other related diseases, it is necessary to treat these diseases thoroughly before proceeding with implant placement.

Patients with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or those who smoke, need to receive treatment to stabilize their health conditions before and after implant placement. Smokers are advised to quit smoking for 1-2 weeks before and after implant placement.

Professional qualifications of the medical team

A skilled and experienced team of dentists performing implant surgeries will carry out the procedure efficiently, reducing the time required for implant placement. This also ensures the safety and success rate of the surgery for the patient.

Dental facilities and equipment

The quality of the dental facility and equipment is also a crucial factor in determining how long it takes to undergo dental implant surgery. A specialized dental clinic equipped with advanced machinery can ensure a faster and more accurate implantation process, providing a more comfortable experience for you.

Frequently asked questions about dental implants for improving bone loss due to missing teeth.

Implant placement is currently the most effective method for restoring missing teeth, improving aesthetics, and ensuring chewing function that is up to 90% similar to natural teeth. To feel truly comfortable and confident during the Implant treatment process, as well as achieve good restoration results after implant placement, it is important to research the following information thoroughly.

When is the best time to get dental implants after losing a tooth?

According to dental professionals, it’s best to replace a missing tooth as soon as possible, ideally within two months of the tooth loss. Delaying the procedure can lead to unforeseen complications in the future.

Getting dental implants early can help minimize pain and discomfort as well as promote faster healing since there is less damage to the jawbone and surrounding soft tissues. Additionally, at this stage, the jawbone has not undergone significant resorption, which can help avoid the need for additional procedures such as bone grafting or sinus lifting and keep costs down.

How long does it take to eat and drink normally after improving tooth wear by implant placement?

After implant placement, it is recommended that you eat soft and liquid foods in the first few days, take medication and follow the dentist’s instructions for oral hygiene. In the following days, you can eat normally, but should not chew too hard and fast, avoid eating at the implant site, or eat spicy and hot foods. It is best to consult your dentist on how to care for your oral health and diet after implant placement to prevent inflammation, infection, and damage to the implant area.

Contact information Home Dental – Implant Clinic

To learn more about the Implant method for restoring missing teeth, please contact Home Dental – Implant Clinic, the first dental clinic in Vietnam specialized in Implant dentistry for middle-aged individuals.

• 30, Trieu Viet Vuong, Hanoi
• Phone: +84 914665656
• Email: marketing@nhakhoahome.com