Many people don’t realize that the loss of bone following a tooth extraction can and does occur. The jawbone receives stimulation from the roots of natural teeth in the dental arch.
Understanding the reasons for bone loss after tooth extraction and what can be done to prevent it will help you look after your dental health better. The bone of the jaw is dependent on the natural tooth roots in the jaw for stimulation. When a tooth is extracted, this stimulation is removed and the surrounding bone will resorb over time.
If you are looking into getting a tooth extracted in Patna, talk to your dentist about how he can preserve the bone of the jaw, and then replace extracted teeth with suitable dental replacements.
What is Bone Loss After Tooth Extraction?
Bone loss after tooth extraction describes the shrinkage in height and width of parts of the jawbone related to the extracted tooth.
The root of a tooth distributes the chewing force exerted on the teeth to the surrounding bone. This bone is remodeled by the body under the stimulation of chewing. Thus, after tooth extraction the stimulated bone is remodeled by the body as if it were no longer needed.
During the first few months following extraction, bone loss can become more apparent. The amount of bone loss varies between individuals; however, it can affect dental implant placement, cause gum recession and affect the surrounding teeth.
Why Does Bone Loss Happen After Tooth Extraction?
There are several reasons why your jaw may change after a tooth has been extracted. The loss of stimulation from the tooth root is one of the main factors that can lead to gradual bone loss in the area.
Loss of Tooth Root Stimulation
Dental bone loss after tooth extraction is often caused by the removal of the tooth root from the jaw. This part of the tooth is constantly stimulated by chewing activities. The bone surrounding the roots of the teeth is kept alive and healthy by these activities. However, when a tooth is extracted, the roots are removed from the jaw and the surrounding bone is left to be reabsorbed by the body.
Gum Disease
The other reason for the bone loss after removal of teeth is due to the fact that a patient suffering from periodontal disease has already lost bone prior to extraction of tooth. Further treatment of that patient can be more challenging.
Infection
Severe dental infections can cause considerable damage to the bone surrounding teeth before an extraction is finally needed. An abscess for example may need to be drained before the tooth can be extracted and the remaining bone may be less than ideal for dental reconstruction.
Traumatic Extraction
A dental extraction can sometimes be traumatic to the surrounding soft tissues and bone, which may make healing difficult. It’s best to choose an experienced dentist for your tooth extraction in Patna.
Missing Tooth for a Long Time
There is also the risk of the jawbone shrinking down over time if the extracted tooth is left out of the denture for a long time. A particularly relevant point to consider for people who are thinking of having the missing tooth replaced with a dental implant.
The amount of bone loss varies depending on several factors, including how long the tooth has been missing. Understanding the extent of bone loss can help you make timely decisions about tooth replacement.
How Much Bone Loss Can Occur After Extraction?
The amount of bone loss varies depending on a number of factors including where in the dental arch the tooth was located, the quality of the bone in that area, why it was extracted and individual healing.
Significant dimensional changes in bone occur in the few months following extraction. The width of the dental extraction site greatly diminishes whilst the height of the surrounding bone also reduces.
Just because there is bone loss after extraction does not mean there will be serious problems.
Early protection of the bone that you have can make the root of your tooth reserve helpful for your implant dentist.
Can Bone Loss After Tooth Extraction Be Prevented?
While there are several steps that can be taken in order to reduce bone loss following an extraction, there are also several methods in which your dentist can recommend treatment for your individual situation.
Socket Preservation
Socket preservation, also referred to as alveolar ridge preservation, involves filling the extracted tooth socket with a bone graft material. The goal of a socket preservation is to maintain the shape and height of the dental extracted socket after the healing of the wound. The graft does not prevent bone loss entirely; it helps to maintain more bone for future dental restorations.
Replacing the Missing Tooth
Replacing a missing tooth helps to restore function lost and can prevent some of the problems of long term tooth loss. Dental implants are particularly suitable because they are embedded into the jawbone and thus stimulate the surrounding bone in a similar way to the root of a natural tooth.
Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene
The healing process following a tooth extraction can be negatively affected by poor oral hygiene. Clean the area of the extraction thoroughly with a toothbrush and follow any post-extraction instructions given by your dentist.
Treating Gum Disease
Gum disease, which affects much of the population, should also be treated as part of your dental treatment. Gum bleeding, along with other signs such as swollen or sensitive gums, can be an indication of gum disease. The gums and their supporting tissues must be healthy in order to support your remaining teeth and dental work.
Once gum disease and gum bleeding is treated and the gums are healthy, the next step is to address any bone loss that may have occurred. The right treatment will depend on the extent of bone loss and your overall dental needs.
Treatment Options for Bone Loss
Treatment for lost bone depends on the degree of bone loss in relation to needed dental treatment. In some cases, the bone may be monitored, while more advanced loss may require additional treatment to restore adequate support.
Bone Grafting
The bone graft is used to rebuild or add bone to a particular area of the jaw. The material used for the graft acts as a framework for new bone to grow around.
Bone grafting is a treatment that can be used to rebuild or increase the amount of bone in a particular area of the mouth prior to dental implant treatment where there is not enough bone to place and support the dental implant(s) adequately.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a popular and effective method of replacing missing teeth. Unlike bridges which are cemented on top of adjacent teeth or dentures which sit on top of the gums, implants are fixed into the jawbone itself.
As an artificial tooth root, the single dental implant stimulates the surrounding bone. The dental implant can thereby prevent bone resorption in that area of the jaw.
Sinus Lift
The bone loss associated with the upper back teeth (maxillary premolars and/or molars) can, in some cases, lead to insufficient distance between the sinus and the potential implant site.
A sinus lift procedure is performed in order to increase the height of the upper jawbone in order to allow for dental implant placement.
Dental Bridges and Dentures
The choice of dental bridge or denture will depend upon your oral health, your budget and your treatment goals. Your dentist will be able to advise on the best solution for you depending on your individual jawbone, gums, remaining teeth and general oral health.
Selecting the right tooth replacement option is important, but timing also plays a key role in preventing further bone loss and protecting your oral health.
When Should You Consider Treatment After Tooth Extraction?
Teeth can be replaced and the bone preserved at the time of the extraction.
It is better to discuss this option before the tooth is extracted or as soon as possible after the extraction, before too much bone loss occurs.
If you have plans in the future for dental implants treatment in Patna, let your dentist know before the extraction. That way, your dentist can consider socket preservation or other related procedures.
Even if significant bone loss has occurred, it is still worth having an oral and maxillofacial surgery examination in order to determine whether or not dental implants may be placed, either now or in the future, after appropriate bone reconstruction with bone grafting.
Choosing the Right Dentist for Tooth Extraction in Patna
Choosing an experienced dentist for an extraction is critical, especially in cases of bad infection, impacted teeth, or deteriorating bone around a tooth.
Our experienced dental specialist at Dr. Sachin’s Dental evaluates each case thoroughly to carry out dental treatment best suited to the individual’s dental needs.
A thorough dental evaluation is the first step to determine if a tooth needs to be pulled, what options are available for replacing the lost tooth and if you are a candidate for dental implants.
Searching for the best dental clinic in Patna to get your dental work done? Choose a dental clinic that not only performs the dental procedure but also diagnoses properly, performs the dental extraction carefully, looks after your dental aftercare and plans for your dental tooth replacement properly.
Final Thoughts
As with most things in nature, bone loss after tooth extraction can vary greatly from person to person. Factors that affect the jawbone after tooth extraction include, periapical infection or abscess, periodontal disease, existing bone loss, and the length of time that the tooth is missing.
When tooth extraction is to be done, it is better to ask your dentist about the bone preservation technique required in your case. It helps in retaining available bone and facilitates in planning for the dental implant(s) to be placed at a later date.
With proper diagnosis and treatment, procedures such as socket preservation, bone grafting, dental implants, bridges and dentures can help treat bone loss and provide aesthetic and functional relief.
We at Dr. Sachin’s Dental can help you determine which treatment is best for you and plan accordingly.
