Treatments for bone loss in teeth
Dr. D.Sendhil Nathan MDS, DNB Prosthodontics And Implantology
Bone loss in teeth is a critical thing that should be treated immediately. The unreplaced missing tooth and serious gum diseases like Periodontitis lead to tooth bone loss. In Periodontitis, the oral bacteria eats the bone around the teeth.
The bone that supports our teeth is called Alveolar bone. When you extract or lose a tooth, the bone cannot get the pressure and stimulus arise with chewing like earlier. It makes the jaw bone dwindle to reduce bone volume and density.
Such jaw bone loss induces more teeth to fall out and accelerates the bone loss rate. It makes the chin closer to the nose and develops deep wrinkles around the mouth which makes you look older than your actual age.
Thanks to the advanced dentistry, the lost alveolar bone can be repaired and regrown.
Teeth Bone loss Treatments
The bone density and volume can be detected with 3D images taken with the help of imaging systems like 3D cone beam CT scanner. Depending on the range of the alveolar bone a person lost, the Dentists choose the appropriate bone loss treatment.
1) Bone Grafting
It is a minor surgical procedure and is widely done to heighten the ridge bone for teeth restoration treatments. The bone grafting treatment involves opening the gum flap to notice the underlying alveolar bone. Then a grafting material is added to the existing bone.
The graft collaborates with the bone to develop a new bone that will take some months. The new bone replaces the graft materials with a natural one and brings back the bone strength, volume and density to hold implant posts.
In certain cases, Dentists recommend bone graft surgery to treat gum or periodontal diseases.
2) Sinus Lift
The bone that separates the oral cavity and sinus cavity will lessen and become thin if a missing tooth in the upper jaw is left unreplaced.
Such thin bone cannot hold the restorations and cannot bear the stimulus. Sinus lift (or) Sinus augmentation is a surgical procedure and it is the perfect treatment to fix this problem.
The sinus lift surgery involves making an incision in the gum line and lift the extended sinus membrane present over the oral region. Then a grafting material is placed there to rebuild the lost bone which will require around 4 to 12 months.
3) Aesthetic ridge augmentation
The alveolar bone undergoes a dimensional change after losing a tooth. In general, the bone in the missing tooth region shrinks and appears like a triangle. It should be treated to retain the bone’s actual width and height.
A small incision is made in the missing tooth space. Then a bone graft is placed under the ridgeline. It amplifies the bone volume.
4) Guided tissue regeneration
Guided Tissues Regeneration (GTR) is the process of developing new bone. This treatment requires different types of barriers like bioresorbable or non-bioresorbable membranes to cover the bone. It separates the gum ligaments from root surfaces and provides enough space for the bone to regenerate itself without the intervention of faster healing tissues.
Bottom line
Teeth bone loss arises with factors like missing teeth, gum diseases and even cracked teeth. Replacing it with removable appliances like denture does not prevent this problem as denture teeth can stimulate just 10% of the chewing forces our natural teeth produce.
Dental implant is the best solution to prevent bone loss. Implant teeth placed in the jaw bone can restore 80% to 90% of the chewing force that prevents bone resorption. So we recommend tooth implants, implant support dentures or bridges that restore the missing teeth and prevent jaw bone loss at a point.
