Recognizing The Benefits of Dental Implants

Osteoporosis is a medical condition that arises when bone degeneration is faster than bone regeneration, leaving you with low-density bones. Low-density bones are relatively weak and brittle compared to normal-density bones. Below are some of the effects of osteoporosis on the jawbone.

Dental Implant Treatment Complications

A dental implant is one of the best ways to replace lost teeth or teeth damaged beyond repair. During the treatment, your dentist inserts an artificial tooth root into your jawbone and caps it with an artificial tooth. The treatment requires sufficient jawbone thickness and density.

Unfortunately, osteoporosis weakens the jawbone and makes the implant treatment difficult. Many people with osteoporosis, especially osteoporosis that has existed for years, need jawbone grafts before the implant treatment. The extra step increases the treatment cost and time.

Loose Teeth

Your teeth attach to the jawbone, which means they can loosen if it deteriorates. Loose teeth can affect your dental health in several ways, such as these three:

1. Dental Sensitivity

Parts of the teeth under the gum are more sensitive than the parts normally exposed. Teeth loosening can expose these sensitive parts, making you uncomfortable eating hot or cold foods.

1. Problems With Dental Fixtures

Loose teeth might affect the fit and comfort of your dental appliances or fixtures. For example, your mouth guard might not fit and protect you as well as it first did after your teeth loosen. Similarly, you also need to anchor dental braces on firm teeth. Loose teeth might force you into retreatments or appliance replacements.

1. Teeth Loss

In extreme cases, the loose teeth and their effects can lead to teeth loss. First, the loosening can progress so that it completely detaches from the gums and bones. Secondly, the weak attachment increases the risk of tooth loss in accidents.

Periodontal Disease

Lastly, dentists have unearthed an association between periodontitis and osteoporosis. The exact cause of the link is not clear, but some dentists suggest that the two oral issues share multiple risk factors.

For example, research shows that Calcium and vitamin D deficiencies increase osteoporosis and periodontitis risks. Similarly, tobacco use increases the risk of developing both diseases. Therefore, screening for and preempting periodontitis makes sense if you have osteoporosis. The same interventions may help both cases.

The above discussions underscore the need to treat oral health as integral to overall health. For example, your general physician and dentist should cooperate for your well-being.