Will Dental Implants Lift My Face?
Getting dental implants in Virginia Beach is one of the best decisions you can make for your long-term oral health and even your appearance.
If you’ve been looking at before and after photos, then you know how incredible the results can be. You also probably want to know if implants can lift your face or if that’s just a myth.
Find out the answer below:
Why Does Your Face Change After Tooth Loss?
Your teeth play a bigger role in your appearance than you think! Their roots, which are implanted into the jaw, help stimulate the bone every time you put pressure on them while chewing.
This pressure helps deliver blood filled with nutrients, which keeps the bones strong. If you lose a permanent tooth, that area no longer receives this stimulation, and over time, the bone starts to shrink.
This shrinkage (also called bone reabsorption) can also change your facial features and lead to a sunken appearance. Moreover, if a tooth is missing, the others can compensate for the extra space on the jaw and change their position, which can also slightly change your appearance.
How Can Dental Implants Help?
Unlike other prosthetics, dental implants will also replace the tooth root. The metal post made from titanium is surgically inserted into the bone and will provide it with the stimulation it needs to prevent reabsorption.
They will also prevent the rest of your teeth from migrating and creating alignment issues. Overall, implants are an excellent choice to restore your smile after losing a tooth.
But Will Implants Lift My Face?
If you’re expecting results similar to an actual facelift, then no, dental implants won’t offer such huge results.
But getting an implant can make the cheek appear slightly fuller, as there is no empty space on the arch anymore. Plus, they prevent future facial changes and help you maintain a more youthful appearance.
What If My Jaw Bone Shrank?
If you’ve been dealing with missing teeth for a long time, then the tissue has already experienced some shrinkage. A condition for getting dental implants is healthy jaw bone and a specific amount of it, so the metal post can fit into the socket.
If your jaw bone isn’t able to support a dental implant, you can get an additional bone graft procedure to restore the tissue. An oral surgeon will take a piece of bone from another area of your jaw and surgically place it where the bone shrank.
After around 6 months of healing, the jaw bone may be strong enough to get a dental implant.
Find Out If Dental Implants Are Right for You
Dr. Frank Yeh can help you find out if implants are the right solution for you.
Request a visit to Coastal Virginia Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery online or call us at (757) 426-6155 today for more information.
