Whether it is brought about by severe tooth decay or accidental damage, a tooth extraction can sometimes become necessary. The loss of a tooth, whether by extraction or other reasons, can lead to a drastic change in your smile’s function and appearance. It can lead to a diminishing functions in biting, chewing, and maybe even speaking. Tooth loss can create a loss of bone density in your jaw bone, specifically loss of density in the alveolar bone that supports and surrounds your teeth. The alveolar bone is stimulated by your teeth and their roots, and when this stimulation is lost with the loss of the tooth, it can cause your body to stop sending essential minerals to that area of the bone. This can result in a loss of bone density. Over time, the jaw can begin to soften and change shape, which puts your remaining teeth unsupported. There are ways to minimize bone loss after tooth loss.
Bone Grafting
After a tooth is lost or extracted, the site where the tooth once was can be filled in with bone graft to help restore and maintain the bone’s density and integrity. Your soft gum tissues will then be sutured closed over the bone grafting. The area will heal and the grafting can become a part of your mouth’s ecosystem. It can lead to stimulation of the bone to help keep the jaw strong and fortified to prevent against possible bone loss. Bone grafting can fortify the area of tooth loss, which can make it a better foundation for a restoration or for a dental implant. Bone grafting can also be useful for other issues that could lead to jawbone degradation, like congenital issues, traumatic injury, or periodontal disease.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is a titanium post that is strategically placed into the socket of the missing tooth. The implant acts as a replacement for the roots of the tooth, which helps to mimic the stimulation that the tooth roots once provided the bone. A dental implant can be used to support dentures, a crown, or a bridge to both help protect your jaw and restore your smile.
Minimizing Bone Loss Is Important to Your Oral Health
Tooth loss can lead to bone loss in the jaw. To schedule a consultation with your dentist, call E-Care Dentistry, PA in Olathe, KS, today at 913-210-1701. We also proudly serve patients from Overland Park, Lenexa, Leawood, Gardner, and all surrounding communities.