Dental implants offer lasting benefits that go well beyond an improved smile. At Signature Oral Surgery & Implants, Dr. Cabel McDonald and our team help patients throughout Lubbock and the South Plains understand how implants preserve jawbone health, restore full chewing function, and protect neighboring teeth from shifting or deterioration after tooth loss.
Ready to discover how dental implants can improve your oral health? Contact our Lubbock, TX, or Hobbs, NM, location to schedule a consultation.
Lubbock Office: 806-722-3637
Hobbs Office: 575-408-8840
What makes dental implants worth considering?
No other tooth replacement option replicates the appearance, sensation, and performance of your own teeth as closely as dental implants. Beyond filling gaps in your smile, implants stimulate and reinforce the surrounding jawbone, support proper chewing so you can enjoy nutritious foods, and safeguard neighboring teeth by maintaining healthy bone density. Our oral surgery team uses advanced planning and cone beam imaging to position each implant for optimal long-term results.
What occurs after losing a tooth?
After a tooth is removed or falls out, a chain of changes takes place beneath the surface that most patients do not notice right away, yet these changes can seriously impact both well-being and facial aesthetics. The root of each tooth does more than anchor it in position; it also plays a vital role in keeping the surrounding gum tissue and underlying bone healthy. When that root is no longer present, the jawbone in that area begins to deteriorate, a process known as resorption. Over time, this bone loss can weaken adjacent tooth roots, destabilize other teeth, and contribute to the hollow, aged facial appearance often associated with missing teeth. It is also the primary reason denture wearers frequently discover that their prosthetics become increasingly loose and difficult to wear as the years pass. Bone grafting and sinus lift procedures can help rebuild lost bone and prepare the jaw for future restoration.
How do dental implants guard against bone deterioration?
When a dental implant is surgically positioned in the jaw, it encourages new bone to form around the titanium post, reinforcing the surrounding structure and restoring the support that was lost with the missing tooth. This natural bonding between implant and bone, called osseointegration, is one of the most valuable aspects of implant therapy because it not only reverses the sunken facial contour that accompanies jawbone resorption but also helps prevent additional bone loss in the future. Our sedation options ensure your comfort throughout the implant placement process.