Are you seeking a reliable way to replace one or more missing adult teeth? If so, you might be a good candidate for dental implants. Many experts consider this the ideal way to restore your smile because it’s the only treatment that includes surgically placing a titanium support rod in your jaw to function like a root.
However, if you have a vitamin D deficiency, there’s a greater chance that your new tooth could fail. Continue reading to learn how this nutrient supports dental implants and how to improve your levels!
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Did you know that your jawbone starts to thin after teeth go missing? Normally, the roots of your teeth stimulate new bone generation with each bite down, which keeps it active and healthy. Unfortunately, that means you can lose up to 25% of the surrounding bone density within the first year of one falling out.
Dental implants are the only replacement teeth that include surgically placing a post in your jaw to fulfill this function. It can take anywhere from three to six months to mend following your procedure, though, because that’s about how long it takes your mouth to generate enough new bone growth to fuse with the biocompatible material. Then, it’s essentially a permanent part of your smile.
What is Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a naturally occurring, fat-soluble compound that plays an essential role in your body’s ability to grow healthy teeth and bones. This ingredient helps your body absorb key components, like calcium and phosphorus, from the foods you eat during the digestive process. Unfortunately, if you don’t have enough of it in your system, you’re more likely to develop thin or brittle bones or more serious conditions, like osteoporosis.
That’s not all this nutrient does, though. It can also support your immune system by reducing inflammation, and helps regulate and maintain your muscles and brain cells.
How Does Vitamin D Support Dental Implants?
Having sufficient vitamin D in your system can help you recover effectively from the implant procedure. In fact, it’s essential for your body’s ability to generate enough jawbone growth to complete the osseointegration stage of recovery successfully. Furthermore, it helps prevent infections, such as peri-implantitis, the leading cause of failure.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, an estimated 41.6% of adults have a deficiency. Your dentist or doctor can likely perform a simple blood test to determine your levels. If you need more vitamin D, don’t fret! You can consume it in foods like fatty fish, egg yolks, or fortified cereals or dairy products.
However, the easiest way to get all the vitamin D you need for the day is to take a walk outside during peak sunlight hours. Your skin generates this vitamin when it comes into contact with ultraviolet rays, making it easy to improve your levels.
About the Practice
Patients at Harper Dental benefit from two dentists dedicated to helping people improve their lives by enhancing their dental health. Dr. Cooper and Dr. Harper share more than 40 years of combined experience, and collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services at one convenient location. They also have advanced technology and specialized training to place and restore dental implants in the office for a more comfortable and streamlined experience. You can request an appointment on the website or call (479) 452-1638.