Maybe you’ve lost several teeth and you want to replace them with dental implants. Perhaps you suffered an injury to your teeth with significant bone loss resulting in a large defect. Or you had teeth extractions several years ago due to decay, gum disease, or an abscess, and the remaining bone is too thin and short for teeth replacements. Maybe you’ve noticed gradual bone loss from dentures that are becoming loose, difficult to keep in, and are costing you a fortune in adhesives. Perhaps you had a cyst that resulted in tooth and bone loss and defect, or your bridge or denture has a poor fit and doesn’t look good. And if you were told “there is not enough bone” for implants, know that there are predictable ways to create adequate bone. You don’t have to accept less than ideal treatment.
How Does the Jaw Bone Shrink?
When teeth are lost or extracted, the bone that previously supported those teeth no longer serves a purpose and begins to deteriorate or resorb. Dentures accelerate the bone resorption process as they put pressure on and compact the gums and underlying bone. As facial structures continue to collapse, the dentures must be relined (made thicker) to compensate for additional bone loss.
In a recent nationwide survey sponsored by the Institute for Dental Implant Awareness, only 36% of respondents were aware that bone loss resulted from missing teeth. And, 75% of respondents with bridges, partials, or dentures would have changed their minds about these treatment options if they had known about the bone loss/deterioration that would occur.
Bone loss may also result from gum disease, infection, traumatic injuries, or cysts. The result is deformities of the jaw bone and gum tissues, leaving inadequate support for tooth replacement and cosmetic problems.
There is a Solution:
Bone loss does not mean you have to remain a dental anomally. Nor do you have to cope with dentures and over sized bridges that compromise your aesthetics and function. Today, there are great solutions. Missing bone can be augmented by grafting procedures, recreating normal shape and dimensions, and making replacement with dental implants possible. You may be wondering if bone grafting is safe, how it is performed, and where the grafting material comes from. Other common concerns include its success rate, recovery, and what complications may result.