How will you know if you are suffering from bone loss? If your teeth have started to move, loosen, or your gums have shrunk, swollen or bleed when you brush your teeth, then it's likely you are suffering from gum disease and bone loss.
Take dental X-rays to check for bone loss in areas where your dentist sees deeper pockets.
On its own, bone loss cannot be reversed. Left untreated, the bone in your jaw and around your teeth will continue to resorb, leading to more tooth loss, disease, and pain. There is good news! In most cases, dental bone loss can be stopped.
Infections are usually the major cause of teeth bone loss which may involve the infection in the nerve of the teeth roots or infections of the gums. Characteristically, gum infections are usually present for several months or years and this could lead to bone loss in the region of the infected tooth or set of teeth.
Eat a healthy diet including plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and low-fat dairy products. Maintain a healthy weight. Get 1000 to 1200 milligrams (mg) of calcium each day from calcium-rich foods and take a supplement only if needed.
Bone grafting is a normal procedure done to generate new bone. The treatment is a minimally invasive procedure where the dentist uses new bone material to regenerate the bone. Usually, the dentist uses new bone from your body, the hips. However, when that is not an option, we may get the bone from a cadaver or animal.
Without a replacement tooth or dental solution, 25% of bone is lost within the first year of a tooth extraction and will continue to deteriorate over time.
The rate that the bone deteriorates, as well as the amount of bone loss that occurs, varies greatly among individuals. However, most loss occurs within the first eighteen months following the extraction and will continue gradually throughout your life.
Risks that Come With Dental Bone Loss
Progressively, teeth with bone loss can become loose and it can even become painful to eat. In severe cases, teeth suffering extensive loss of surrounding bone can become infected and require tooth extraction.
The estimated range in cost for this type of procedure is $2,500 to $3,500. Patients are likely to incur additional costs in the form of x-rays, CT scans, or other types of screening procedures, which can increase the cost by anywhere from $250 to $1,000.
In its early stage, called gingivitis, the gums can become swollen and red, and they may bleed. In its more serious form, called periodontitis, the gums can pull away from the tooth, bone can be lost, and the teeth may loosen or even fall out.
Certain changes in your facial features and bite can indicate jawbone loss. When tissue volume decrease in your jaw, you may notice that your mouth seems to collapse into your face, your chin becomes more pointed, or wrinkles begin to form around the mouth.
However, if a tooth is severely damaged, your dentist may not be able to save it. In these cases, they will normally recommend that the tooth be removed. Dentists may recommend removal in the following circumstances: Dental injury resulting in a cracked or fractured tooth or root.
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, and antiepileptic drugs, can lead to the loss of bone that supports your teeth. Bisphosphonates, drugs used to treat osteoporosis, can sometimes cause a rare condition called osteonecrosis of the jawbone, which results in destruction of the jawbone.
Is it already too late and hopeless? Good news is that you can still make your teeth look good again. Yes, the enamel won't grow back but the dentist can still best advise you about how to bring back your confident smile. It starts with proper dental assessment and protecting what you still have.
Teeth grinding (bruxism) is another common cause of dental bone loss. Bruxism is a condition in which people grind their teeth unconsciously, often during times of stress. Poor dental hygiene is another factor that can contribute to dental bone loss.
Stage 4: Progressive Periodontitis
This stage involves teeth looseness, shifting teeth, red, swollen and painful gums, often forming an abscess. The end result — eating and even smiling is hard and painful, and you may lose most of your teeth.
In the first stage of periodontitis, called gingivitis, you may notice red, swollen gums and bad breath. Gums might also bleed when you brush or floss. Gingivitis, which is reversible, can be treated by improving at-home dental care and visiting your dentist regularly for treatment.
Bone loss can happen for a number of reasons, including misalignment of the jaw, tumours and accidental trauma to the face, but periodontal disease is one of the most common causes.
Bone loss appears as a shadowy area around your tooth. If the dentist detects poor jawbone density, they may prescribe a bone graft.
You may know that you have had bone loss around your teeth if they start to feel loose. A good dentist will always tell you if you have periodontal disease and the best way to manage this disease. Bone loss will show up on x-rays.
Procedure: The periodontist administers a local anesthetic and gently opens the area. He then removes the periodontal disease, repairs the bone damage and fills in the damaged area with bone grafting material. This transparent view of the gums shows the bone loss that has occurred from periodontal disease.