When our smiles lose teeth, this could weaken the jaw and even lead to an older appearance with time. Which means you may not be able to support dental implants. However, with a ridge augmentation or sinus lift, we can strengthen your upper and lower jaw. In today’s blog, your Brookyln, NY, periodontist and dental implant expert talks about strengthening your jaw to make your smile implant-ready!
The Causes and Risks of Tooth Loss
Tooth loss in adulthood can occur due to factors like injury to the face or jaw, advanced decay or infection, or the presence of periodontitis, the advanced stage of gum disease. Without treatment, the gaps in your smile could lead to dental misalignment, TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding), and of course, issues with eating your favorite foods or even speaking clearly. As the jawbone begins to lose mass and density due to tooth loss, this could mean major trouble down the road, such as further tooth loss and even an aged appearance. We don’t want this to prevent you from being able to support new teeth, so our team can conduct unique surgeries to strengthen the upper and lower jaw as needed.
Jawbone Grafting
Ridge augmentation, also known as jawbone grafting, is used to help strengthen the lower jaw. Our team will carefully examine the area, including the portions beneath the gums, with advanced digital x-rays and CT scanning technology. Our team can then plan the grafting process in detail. Next, our team will numb the area and offer sedation so you are comfortable as we attach end structure to the lower jaw. These could be bone tissues taken from the rear of your jaw, hip, or your knee. We could also employ synthetic sources too. Once these are attached, they bond with the jaw and strengthen it. We then insert dental implants, which act as new roots and further preserve your smile.
Sinus Lifts
Grafting helps with the lower jaw, but what about the upper one? For the upper jaw, we will essentially raise the sinus floor, lifting it to uncover new tissues that can support dental implants and keep your smile whole. If you have any questions about how we treat tooth loss and protect your smile, or if you have a jaw that needs strengthening through grafting or sinus lift, then contact our team today to learn more.
Strengthen Your Smile with Your Brooklyn, NY, Periodontist
Our team wants to help you enjoy a full smile and avoid the complications of untreated tooth loss. To schedule an appointment and keep your smile full and strong, contact your Brooklyn, NY, periodontist by calling (718) 444-3800. We can help you smile with confidence, with results that are long-lasting and lifelike!
