Bone Grafting-Jaw Bone Loss and Deterioration

Jaw bone loss and deterioration occur more commonly than many people think. Some of the common causes of jaw bone loss and deterioration that may need a procedure of bone grafting are as follows:

Tooth Extractions

Deterioration of jaw bone may occur when your tooth is extracted but not replaced. Natural adult teeth are fixed in your jawbone and they stimulate it by way of activities including biting and chewing. With missing teeth, there is resorption or break down of the alveolar bone (that portion of your jawbone, which anchors your teeth in the oral cavity) as it doesn’t receive the required stimulation. Your body doesn’t need or use the jawbone any longer; hence, it deteriorates. Bone grafting procedure can help to fill the space using new bone and provide the required support necessary for a tooth implant.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is a continuing infection of your gum tissue that destroys and damages the support it provides to your natural teeth gradually. Periodontal disease may affect one or more than one periodontal tissues: periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, gingival, or cementum. While many diseases may affect the structures supporting the teeth, most of the periodontal issues are caused by inflammatory lesions induced by plaque. They are classified into two groups: periodontitis and gingivitis. Periodontal disease, when left untreated, may lead to jawbone loss and loosening of your teeth.

Plaque is a colorless, sticky film that consists of particles of food and various kinds of bacteria, which stick to the teeth at and beneath the gum line. There is the constant formation of plaque on the teeth, even immediately after cleaning them. Bacteria present in plaque produce toxic substances that irritate your gums. Your gums can become inflamed, swollen, red, and can bleed easily. If you neglect daily flossing and brushing of your teeth, then the plaque may harden to form a porous, rough substance, referred to as tartar.

Bridgework/Dentures

The dentist places the unanchored dentures above your gum line; hence, they don’t stimulate the underlying jawbone. Gradually, over time due to this lack of stimulation, there is deterioration and loss of jawbone. Since these dentures require your jawbone to keep them in place; hence, your dentures may loosen causing problems with speaking and eating. Eventually, with severe bone loss, the strongest adhesives would not be effective in keeping dentures in place.

In bridgework, the teeth present on both sides of the bridge provide the necessary stimulation to your jawbone; however, the part of the bridge, which is present in the gap where there are missing teeth, receives no stimulation. Loss and deterioration of bone may occur in this particular area. By getting a bone grafting procedure, the growth and functioning of the bone can be restored.

Oral Trauma

A broken tooth to such extent that you don’t have any biting surface left beneath your gum line may stop stimulation of bone resulting in loss of jawbone. Some common types of jaw and tooth trauma include jaw fractures or broken teeth from an accident or injury. The procedure of bone grafting may help in reversing the effects of bone loss, promoting the growth of new bone in areas affected by trauma, and restoring function.

Misalignment

Issues with misalignment may occur in your mouth when some of the teeth don’t have opposing teeth to stop their growth. This can lead to over-eruption of the unopposed teeth and deterioration and loss of the bone lying beneath them.

Issues such as TMJ problems, normal wear-and-tear, and lack of treatment can also create abnormal physical forces that interfere with the teeth’s ability to grind and chew properly. Over time, bone deterioration can occur where bone is losing stimulation.

Cysts and Tumors

Both malignant and benign facial and mouth tumors can grow in the jaw bone and may need partial removal. In such cases, bone grafting (reconstructive) is required to help in rehabilitating the jaw and restoring its function.

Developmental Deformities

In some cases, the jaw of a person may not develop fully and properly as a result of certain deformities and conditions at birth. Bone grafting can help in restoring the bone growth and function where it is absent.

Sinus Deficiencies

In cases where molars are extracted from the upper portion of the jaw, resorption of bone occurs due to air pressure in the maxillary sinus. Due to this, the sinuses get enlarged and the condition is referred to as hyperneumatized sinus. Due to this condition, the bone becomes insufficient for dental implant placement. A procedure referred to as a sinus lift can help in treating enlarged sinuses.