Tooth loss is an unfortunate condition that affects millions of U.S. residents every year. It can occur at any age and results in serious consequences if left unchecked. Scheduling restorative dental surgery through the experts at Oral Surgery Associates of Alaska is strongly recommended to save your teeth and your jaw structure. 

Trauma, gum disease, and tooth decay are among the top reasons for tooth loss. Here are some reasons to seek dental surgery to solve the problem:

• Shifting Teeth: Tooth loss causes adjacent teeth to shift into the empty spaces. Shifting teeth impact bite tension and result in chewing problems. You may have to limit what foods you eat due to excessive wear and tear on the remaining teeth. Shifted teeth also have a negative effect on your smile.

• Bone Loss: The alveolar, or sac-like bone that surrounds and supports the teeth, requires stimulation from your pearly whites to remain healthy. The small stresses teeth endure on a daily basis keep this bone in continual ‘rebuild’ mode. Tooth loss equals lack of stimulation, and subsequently the loss of the alveolar bone. If tooth loss is not corrected, as much as 25 percent of this bone is lost in the first year. 

• Facial Collapse: Once the alveolar bone is lost, the basal bone, or jawbone proper, starts to reabsorb. The lower third of the face partially collapses as the distance between your nose and chin diminishes. Your cheeks become hollow, and the chin moves forward and upward. Jaw fractures may also occur if the problem continues.

Dental surgery prevents these troubling issues from affecting your mouth. Dental implants are a permanent solution to bone loss, as they are incredibly durable, natural-looking, and cavity-free. Implants also protect the remaining teeth and help maintain the facial structure.

Discuss dental implants and other dental surgery options, like veneers, with the talented team at Oral Surgery Associates of Alaska today. The Anchorage-based oral surgeons provide the comprehensive range of surgical services necessary to maintaining dental health.

For more on dental surgery, please contact Oral Surgery Associates of Alaska. Call their Anchorage office at (907) 561-1430, visit them online, or like the oral surgeons on Facebook.