Don’t Let Tooth Loss Make You LOOK or FEEL Old.

Posted on Aug 26, 2024 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

I have never imagined how old I could look until the first timerI saw my image on FaceTime. It reminded me of a time I unexpectedly passed by a mirror and saw an old man looking at me, which of course was my reflection.

Aging is tough enough without looking or feeling old. While adults have gotten better at staying more active and eating better diets than some previous generations, having an aged appearance beyond one’s actual years is a downer.

Something people often do not factor into the telltale signs of aging is bone loss. Generally, people acknowledge that they’ll lose some height with age as the skeleton submits to typical bone loss. However, bone loss due to missing natural teeth isn’t typically perceived as part of the process.

Yet, losing bone mass in the jaws can greatly affect one’s appearance, regardless of their actual years. This is due to the lack of stimulation provided to the jaws that natural tooth roots once provided.

Your natural teeth are supported by your upper and lower jaw bone, known respectfully as the maxilla and mandible. These strong, study bones support tooth roots securely.

When a natural tooth is removed, its absence causes a reaction below the gum line. This is through a process known as “resorption.” Without tooth roots present in the bone, the stimulation and nourishment needed for the bone to maintain a healthy mass is removed. Thus, the bone begins to decline.

As it shrinks in height, the adjacent teeth are more vulnerable to loss. Statistics show that teeth adjacent to areas where natural teeth are missing will be the most likely to be lost next.

Resorption begins shortly after the tooth root is removed. Once it starts, it continues at an ever-increasing rate year after year. For example, the first year after a tooth root is absent, the loss of bone may be minimal, probably unnoticeable. With each passing year, however, the pace of loss accelerates.

Over time, resorption’s effects become visible. As the bones decline in mass, deep wrinkles form around the mouth. The corners of the mouth turn downward. The chin takes on a more pointed shape and the mouth sinks into the face. The nose seems to get closer to the chin as the jaw bones thin. Jowls form as facial muscles detach from shrinking bone structure.

For people who wear a denture or partial, the pressure of wearing these appliances can speed up the rate of bone loss. For those who sleep in their denture, the 24/7 pressure speeds this pace even further. Even people who have a “bridge” may start to notice a space between the bridge and the gums, one that was probably not obvious before.

As a periodontist, I specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of all stages of periodontal (gum) disease. In addition, periodontists are particularly skilled in performing cosmetic periodontal procedures. I also have advanced training and skills in the selection and placement of dental implants.

When it comes to replacing natural teeth, dental implants are the ideal for many reasons. When it comes to halting bone loss, they are able to restore stimulation to the jaw bone. Additionally, dental implants restore the ability to eat with stability, chew comfortably, and laugh and speak with confidence. Dental implants do not decay and will never need root canals.

There are over 40 different implant systems, each designed to accommodate various needs and goals. Obviously, a strong consideration in determining which type of dental implant is recommended is in the amount of jaw bone mass present.

An implant needs a particular amount of bone structure to support it.  Depending on the amount of bone present to support the implant(s), the choice of which implant system to recommend can be made.

For some, we may recommend a bone rebuilding process prior to implant placement. Or, we may advise an implant that uses unique implant lengths and placement angles (the “All-On-4”) that can overcome the challenges of bone loss.

While there are also many considerations in selecting the right type of dental implant, the final choice, of course, is the patient’s preference. Does he or she want an implant that is non-removable (“fixed”)? Is cost the determining factor? Does the patient need just one implant or several? Can one implant dependably support a “bridge” of teeth in one area?

All in all, however, dental implants are an excellent choice for replacing teeth. Implants have an extremely high success rate, higher than any implant-in-bone option. And, dental implants are designed to last a lifetime. With proper selection and maintenance, they will never need replacing or repair.

Our Asheville periodontal practice is known for its priority on comfort and providing respectful care. With over 70% of the adult population having some level of dental fear or anxiety, we have a long-standing reputation for compassion and understanding.

For optimal comfort and relaxation, we offer several sedation options, including oral and IV sedation. With both sedation options, patients are closely monitored with advanced safety equipment throughout treatment.

• Oral sedation is a pill that helps patients relax. It also has an amnesiac effect, leaving most with little or no memory of treatment afterward.

• I.V. sedation (“twilight sleep“) places the patient in a deeper sleep state and erases memory of the procedure. It is administered by a Medical Doctor (MD) who is a board certified Anesthesiologist.

Ideal diagnosis is another important aspect of care here, which can save the patient much in overall treatment costs. For example, when missing more than one tooth in one area, one implant can often hold two or a bridge of teeth. Several strategically placed implants may also be used to support a full arch of teeth.

To support diagnostics in our Western NC periodontal dental office, we feature some of the region’s most advanced technology in the industry, including Cone Beam 3D imaging and laser dentistry. Our dental implant patients also have the advantages of technology that can minimize treatment speed healing and enhance comfort, thanks to Simplant.

With the support of Simplant computerized dental implant placement, we can actually position the implants on the computer using a 3D model of the patient’s jaw pre-surgically. This aids in the selection of the implant type that ensures a precision fit.

For individuals who have lost a great deal of bone and need bone rebuilding procedures prior to placement, we are highly skilled in the procedures of bone grafting. However, in many cases, we are able to apply bone generation material to the area that is less involved than the grafting process.

We believe that proper placement and support in caring for implants is an important part of a successful outcome. However, dental implants can fail. This is why a periodontal specialist can be an asset to your investment. When dental implants are chosen and placed by a periodontist, he or she can select the one that will work best for you now and throughout your lifetime.

In our Asheville periodontal dental office, we combine technology with our advanced skills and compassionate approach to care so you can enjoy a comfortable, efficient experience that allows you to have optimal success.

Call 828-274-9440 to arrange a consultation. During this time, we can discuss treatment that can achieve your needs and goals as well as the process and anticipated costs. If interested, we will also explain payment plans, some that are interest free and require no down payment.