Your jaw bone is living tissue that requires constant stimulation to maintain its density and form. When this stimulation is interrupted or compromised, bone deterioration begins. Understanding the causes helps you take preventive action and seek timely treatment to preserve your oral health and facial structure.
Tooth Extractions
When an adult tooth is removed and not replaced, jaw bone deterioration may occur. Your natural teeth are embedded in the jaw bone and stimulate it through activities such as chewing and biting. When teeth are missing, the alveolar bone (the portion that anchors teeth in your mouth) no longer receives necessary stimulation and begins to break down, or resorb. The body no longer uses or “needs” the jaw bone, so it deteriorates and goes away.
The rate of bone deterioration and the amount of bone loss varies greatly among individuals. However, most loss occurs within the first eighteen months following extraction and will continue gradually throughout your life. This is why prompt tooth replacement is crucial for maintaining your jaw bone integrity.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal diseases are ongoing infections of the gums that gradually destroy the support of your natural teeth. These diseases affect one or more of the periodontal tissues: alveolar bone, periodontal ligament, cementum, or gingiva. While many diseases affect tooth-supporting structures, plaque-induced inflammatory lesions make up the majority of periodontal issues and are divided into two categories: gingivitis and periodontitis.
Dental plaque is the primary cause of gingivitis in genetically-susceptible individuals. This sticky colorless film, composed primarily of food particles and bacteria, adheres to your teeth at and below the gum line. Plaque constantly forms on your teeth, even minutes after cleaning. Bacteria in plaque produce toxins that irritate your gums, causing inflammation, redness, swelling, and bleeding.
If daily brushing and flossing is neglected, plaque can harden into calculus (tartar). When gingivitis progresses into periodontitis, the supporting gum tissue and bone deteriorate. The progressive loss of alveolar bone can lead to loosening and subsequent loss of teeth.
Dentures and Bridgework
Unanchored dentures are placed on top of the gum line but don’t provide direct stimulation to the underlying alveolar bone. Over time, lack of stimulation causes the bone to resorb and deteriorate. Because this type of denture relies on bone to hold it in place, you often experience loosening of your dentures and problems eating and speaking. Eventually, bone loss may become so severe that dentures cannot be held in place even with strong adhesives.
Some dentures are supported by anchors (implants), which do help adequately stimulate and therefore preserve bone. With bridgework, the teeth on either side of the appliance provide sufficient stimulation to the bone, but the portion spanning the gap where teeth are missing receives no direct stimulation, leading to bone loss in that area.
Facial Trauma
When a tooth is knocked out or broken to the extent that no biting surface remains below the gum line, bone stimulation stops, resulting in jaw bone loss. Common forms of tooth and jaw trauma include:
- Teeth knocked out from injury or accident
- Jaw fractures
- Teeth with a history of trauma that may die and lead to bone loss years after the initial trauma
A bone grafting procedure would be necessary to reverse the effects of bone deterioration, restoring function and promoting new bone growth in traumatized areas.
Misalignment
Misalignment issues can create situations where some teeth no longer have an opposing tooth structure. The unopposed tooth can over-erupt, causing deterioration of the underlying bone. Issues such as TMJ problems, normal wear-and-tear, and lack of treatment can create abnormal physical forces that interfere with your teeth’s ability to grind and chew properly. Over time, bone deterioration occurs where the bone loses stimulation.
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is a bacterial infection in the bone and bone marrow of your jaw. This infection leads to inflammation, which can reduce blood supply to the bone. Treatment generally requires antibiotics and removal of the affected bone. A bone graft procedure may be required to restore bone function and growth lost during removal.
Tumors
Benign facial tumors, though generally non-threatening, may grow large and require removal of a portion of your jaw. Malignant mouth tumors almost always spread into the jaw, requiring removal of the affected section. In both cases, reconstructive bone grafting is usually required to help restore normal function to your jaw.
Developmental Deformities
Some conditions or syndromes are characterized by missing portions of the teeth, facial bones, jaw or skull. Bone graft procedures can restore bone function and growth where it may be absent.
Sinus Deficiencies
When molars are removed from your upper jaw, air pressure from the maxillary sinus causes resorption of the bone that formerly helped keep teeth in place. As a result, the sinuses become enlarged (hyperpneumatized sinus). This condition usually develops over several years and may result in insufficient bone for dental implant placement.
Restore Your Jaw Bone Health Today
At Northwest Oral Surgeons in Schererville, IN, Drs. Wolf, Mekhail and Moll specialize in addressing all causes of jaw bone loss. Through advanced bone grafting procedures and sinus lifts, they can restore bone function and growth, halting deterioration and preparing your jaw for dental implants or other restorative treatments.
Don’t let bone loss compromise your oral health and quality of life. Schedule your consultation at 219-322-0501 to assess your bone health and explore treatment options that can restore both function and appearance to your smile.
