Motor Vehicle Accidents and Tooth Loss

Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of death among Americans.  In 2005, there were 45,520 motor vehicle related deaths in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Motor vehicle accidents are also one of the leading causes of facial trauma and injuries including tooth loss.  Every year, traffic accidents cause many Americans to lose one or more of their permanent teeth.  If this has happened to you, do not lose heart.  Advances in dental implant dentistry now give patients with tooth loss an attractive alternative to dentures or partial dentures.

Dental implants are a revolutionary tooth replacement solution that provides for replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth.  Benefits include the fact that they are permanent, do not require denture creams or adhesives and are not at risk for slipping or falling out.  Other benefits include their natural appearance as well as the fact that they function just like natural teeth and do not require patients to restrict their diets to eliminate foods that are harder to chew.

The process involves inserting a prosthetic anchor into the jawbone to take the place of missing tooth roots.  Once the jawbone has healed and the anchors are securely in place,(a process called Osseointegration), crowns or bridges may be attached to the implants to take the place of missing teeth. This advanced dental procedure requires coordination between an oral surgeon and a restorative dentist.  Most patients are candidates for dental implants and there are very few reasons that medically rule a patient out for this procedure.

If you have sustained tooth loss as a result of a motor vehicle accident, talk to an oral surgeon today to get more information about dental implants and to find out if you are a candidate.  Drive carefully!