When most people think about replacing missing teeth, they focus on appearance. While dental implants do restore a natural-looking smile, their benefits go much deeper. One of the most important advantages of implants is how they preserve your jawbone and protect your long-term oral health.
At Lance Family Dental in Festus, MO, Dr. Bradley Lance helps patients understand why implants aren’t just a cosmetic fix – they’re a solution that supports your overall dental health for years to come.
Why Missing Teeth Affect Your Jawbone
When you lose a tooth, the jawbone beneath it no longer receives stimulation from chewing. Without that stimulation, the bone begins to shrink in a process called resorption. Over time, this can cause:
- A sunken or aged facial appearance
- Shifting of remaining teeth
- Bite problems and misalignment
- Difficulty wearing dentures comfortably
Bone loss doesn’t just affect your looks – it impacts your ability to eat, speak, and maintain a healthy mouth.
How Dental Implants Work with the Jawbone
Dental implants are designed to replace not just the tooth, but also the root. A small titanium post is placed in the jawbone, where it naturally fuses with the bone through osseointegration. This process mimics the role of natural tooth roots, providing continuous stimulation and keeping the bone strong and healthy.
By acting as artificial roots, implants help preserve the structure of your face and prevent the chain reaction of problems caused by bone loss.
The Long-Term Benefits of Jawbone Preservation
Choosing implants over removable options like dentures or traditional bridges has lasting advantages, including:
- Maintaining facial structure – Prevents the “sunken” look caused by bone loss.
- Protecting surrounding teeth – Keeps your natural teeth from shifting or loosening.
- Improving function – Strong bone support gives you full chewing power, so you can enjoy your favorite foods.
- Preventing further tooth loss – By keeping the jawbone healthy, implants lower your risk of losing more teeth in the future.
Why Dr. Lance Recommends Implants in Festus, MO
As a family-focused dentist in Festus, Dr. Lance sees firsthand how dental implants improve both confidence and health. Patients often share how they feel younger, more comfortable, and more active after treatment. The ability to chew without worry and smile freely is life-changing – and the jawbone protection is an added bonus many patients don’t realize until later.
What If You’ve Already Experienced Bone Loss?
If you’ve been missing teeth for a while, you may already have some bone loss. That doesn’t mean implants are off the table. Treatments like bone grafting can rebuild enough support to make implants possible. Dr. Lance and the team at Lance Family Dental will evaluate your situation and design a personalized treatment plan.
Implants vs. Other Options
- Dentures rest on top of the gums but do not stimulate the bone, which means resorption continues.
- Bridges fill the gap using neighboring teeth but don’t replace the tooth root, so bone loss can still occur under the missing tooth.
- Implants directly integrate with the bone, offering stability and long-term preservation.
This is why many patients who want a permanent, healthy solution choose implants over other options.
Take the Next Step Toward a Healthier Smile
If you’re considering dental implants in Festus, MO, the best place to start is with a consultation at Lance Family Dental. Dr. Lance will examine your smile, explain your options, and help you understand how implants can restore more than just your teeth – they can preserve your bone and protect your health for the future.
Contact Lance Family Dental today to schedule your implant consultation and learn how dental implants can make a lasting difference in your smile and your life.