110 How Do You Fix Dental Bone Loss in Teeth
How Do You Fix Dental Bone Loss in Teeth
Patients of any age can experience bone loss but those who have underlying medical conditions, such as osteoporosis, and those with periodontal disease are more susceptible to bone and tooth loss. The jawbone relies on stimulation from our teeth to constantly regenerate. Stimulation is applied to the bone when we speak, bite, and chew.
How does dental bone loss happen?
With the stimulation from our tooth roots, osteoblast cells in the jaw bone continually rebuild and strengthen the jaw. When a tooth is lost, any stimulation in that area stops which tricks the body into thinking that the bone is no longer needed. At this point, the body begins to break down old bone cells to recycle them in other parts of the body.
Symptoms of bone loss include:
* Wrinkles around the mouth
* Lips sinking inward
* Loose teeth and discomfort when chewing
* Teeth shifting
* Poorly fitting dental restorations such as traditional dentures or dental bridges
How is bone loss treated?
Bone loss can be detrimental to your overall oral health. In order to treat missing bone structure, a bone graft can be placed to help rebuild the area. There are different types of bone grafts that utilize donor cadaver bone, bone from another area of the patient’s mouth, bovine bone, and synthetic bone.
The procedure for a bone graft is relatively simple. The doctor will begin by administering a local anesthetic to the area before making a small incision and placing the graft. Once the graft is in place, they will stitch up the gum tissue and allow you to heal for a few months. During this healing time, the graft will integrate with the natural bone structure and revive the area. This provides a stable foundation for further treatment such as dental implants.
Preventing Bone Loss In The Jaw
Practice good oral hygiene:
Taking the time to practice proper oral hygiene at home and to visit your dentist at least twice a year for professional cleanings and exams will greatly reduce your risk of gum disease and bone loss. This is such a simple way to prevent expensive and painful treatment down the road. Even if you are predisposed to periodontal issues, taking the necessary steps to maintain your teeth and gums can prevent future bone loss.
Treat gum disease:
Gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, presents as gun information and bleeding upon brushing and flossing. Effects of gingivitis can still be reversed if it is caught early. To prevent gingivitis from progressing into periodontitis, your dentist may advise you to have a deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing.
During a scaling and root planing, one area of the mouth is numbed with a local anesthetic and your hygienist will use tools to remove plaque and bacteria from below the gum line, which cannot be accessed during a regular preventative cleaning. After a scaling and root planing, the gum tissue is able to heal closer to the tooth surface, preventing the progression of gum disease and bone loss.
Restore Missing Teeth:
Dental implants are the only restoration that mimic the stimulation of natural tooth roots. A titanium, screw-like post is placed into the jaw bone to help the bone cells reattach themselves and rebuild the jaw bone. An implant crown or denture is placed on the implant to complete your smile!