The bite force of the average person is 120 pounds of pressure, and 170 pounds or more at the back molars. This power is necessary to grind food into bits that are easily digestible. The bite force on teeth is also critical to preservation of strong bone density. Dental implants after tooth loss help patients maintain healthy bone and attractive, full facial contours.
The vital role of tooth roots
Your body is constantly renewing and healing. Various stimuli send signals to the body’s regenerative systems when resources are needed in a specific area. Meanwhile, parts of the body that are not under normal stress atrophy because the body senses that they are not being used. Each time you bite down or chew, the roots of your teeth tell the body that you need a strong jawbone to anchor teeth securely. The body sends nutrients and minerals to maintain bone density.
When a tooth is lost, the body does not recognize a need in that area, and resorption begins – components of bone are absorbed to be used in other ways. As a result, bone shrinks and the stability of remaining teeth may be compromised. Eventually, the face develops a caved-in appearance.
Dental implants as replacement tooth roots
A dental implant is a cylinder of biocompatible material. It is placed into the jawbone at the site of a lost tooth, to mimic the missing root. Bone fuses with the implant, providing a stable foundation for a dental crown. Because the implant reaches into the bone, it transfers bite force that is very similar to a biological tooth root. By comparison, a dental bridge or denture provides only about ten percent of the stimulus of a natural tooth. With a dental implant, the resulting robust bone helps to keep teeth straight and healthy, and the facial profile looking more youthful.
Dental implant restorations look completely natural, blending with existing dentition beautifully, and they feel normal in the mouth. With regular good oral hygiene, a dental implant can provide a lifetime of healthy chewing function and bone preservation.
