Our Blog:
Archive:
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
Tags
- teeth whitening (6)
- celebrity smiles (72)
- cosmetic dentistry (12)
- oral health (24)
- oral hygiene (18)
- oral piercings (1)
- veneers (3)
- porcelain veneers (3)
- dental implant (1)
- gluten (1)
- pediatric care (2)
- pregnancy (1)
- dental implants (15)
- crowns (5)
- oral cancer (2)
- bonding (2)
- chipped teeth (2)
- orthodontics (11)
- invisalign (1)
- clear aligners (1)
- root canal (2)
- dental injury (7)
- mouthguard (3)
- pediatric dentistry (8)
- sedation dentistry (3)
- bad breath (2)
- braces (11)
- bridge (1)
- tooth decay (6)
- cavity (1)
- orthodontic treatment (13)
- medication (1)
- wisdom teeth (4)
- osteoporosis (1)
- oral surgery (1)
- dentures (1)
- snoring (2)
- sleep apnea (2)
- nutrition (3)
- retainers (4)
- chipped tooth (4)
- tooth bleaching (1)
- bleeding gums (1)
- adult orthodontics (1)
- space maintainer (1)
- canker sore (1)
- medicine (1)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- crown lengthening (1)
- gum disease (10)
- diabetes (2)
- periodontal disease (2)
- smoking (1)
- smile makeover (1)
- root canal treatment (6)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- tooth staining (1)
- orthognathic surgery (1)
- jaw surgery (1)
- tooth grinding (1)
- trigeminal neuralgia (1)
- facial pain (1)
- teeth grinding (2)
- tmj disorders (4)
- mouthguards (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- sugar (1)
- jaw pain (2)
- palatal expander (1)
- gum recession (2)
- bone grafting (2)
- tooth pain (1)
- adult braces (1)
- partial denture (2)
- periodontal surgery (1)
- bone loss (1)
- missing teeth (2)
- dental emergency (1)
- dental anxiety (1)
- thumb sucking (1)
- GERD (1)
- local anesthesia (1)
- gummy smile (1)
- apicoectomy (1)
- retainer (1)
- lingual braces (1)
- fillings (1)
- dental exam (1)
Categories:
Losing teeth will certainly disrupt your otherwise beautiful smile. It could also potentially affect your food choices and whether or not you receive proper nutrition.
But something else just as consequential could be happening beneath the surface of your gums—you could be losing bone. Significant bone loss in the jaw could adversely affect remaining teeth and facial structure, as well as limit your future restoration choices.
To understand why this occurs we must first consider what bone is: living, cellular tissue. Like the body's other cells, bone has a life cycle: cells form, live and eventually dissolve (or resorb), and are then replaced by new cells. Stimulation from forces generated during chewing traveling up through the tooth roots to the jawbone keep this cycle going at a healthy pace.
But when a tooth is missing, so is this stimulation. This could slow the replacement rate and cause bone volume to gradually decrease. The jawbone width could decrease by as much as 25% the first year alone and several millimeters in height after just a few years.
Although dentures (a popular and affordable choice) can restore lost function and appearance, they can't duplicate this needed stimulation. They even accelerate bone loss by irritating and creating compressive forces on the bony ridges and the gums they rest upon.
One restoration, however, can actually help stop bone loss and may even reverse it: dental implants. This happens because an implant's metal titanium post imbedded in the jawbone attracts bone cells to grow and adhere to its surface. This could actually increase bone density at the site.
To gain this advantage, it's best to obtain implants as soon as possible after tooth loss. If you allow bone loss to occur by waiting too long, there may not be enough to properly support an implant. Even then it might be possible to build up the diminished bone through grafting. But if that's not possible, we'll have to consider a different restoration.
To determine the condition of your bone after losing teeth, visit us for a complete examination. Afterward, we'll be able to discuss with you the best way to address both your overall dental health and your smile.
If you would like more information on treating missing teeth, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “The Hidden Consequences of Losing Teeth.”