How Do You Fix Dental Bone Loss in Teeth?
Brief reminder on bone loss
Dental bone loss is a jaw condition in which there is a deterioration in bone density. The jawbone is made up of bones, which allow the teeth to stay attached to the gums. In cases of bone loss in the jaw, the periradicular bone, which is located around the gumline, breaks down. There are many known causes of dental bone loss.
Causes and Symptoms of Bone Loss
The causes of dental bone loss are numerous, but there are two main ones: aging and periodontal pathologies. Aging is a natural cause of dental bone loss. Over time, the bone loses density and its attachment to the gum becomes less firm. The stability of the tooth is therefore affected, the latter can begin to move. Periodontal diseases, such as gum inflammation, can also cause bone loss. The bacteria responsible for gingivitis can attack the alveolar bone. This bone is the one that is around the tooth root. Once these germs spread to this area, the alveolar bone can lose its density. If periodontal conditions are not treated well, they can lead to abscesses or sores in the mouth. These infections put the jaw bones at great risk. Tooth mobility is one of the first symptoms of a loss of dental bone density. As the bone has become more fragile, the tooth is attached with less force to the gum and you can feel it move. When chewing as well as when touching, it is easy to see that the teeth are more mobile.
In cases of gingivitis, swelling will likely appear on the gumline. Other symptoms may be related to this swelling, including pain in the gums. The gums can also be red and inflamed, and it is possible to notice bleeding when brushing. A periodontal pocket can also form, this is another sign of a loss of bone density. Do not hesitate to contact your dentist in such cases.
How to Treat Dental Bone Loss
Dental bone loss is not easy to treat. Most of the time, it is necessary to do a bone graft. It is an operation which consists of a transplant at the level of the maxillary bone, to avoid the risk of rejection. The benefits of bone grafting are numerous. The bone capital is restored thanks to it, and the graft makes it possible to fill the bone gap in the jaw. There are different types of bone grafts that one may qualify for. Another method is bone regeneration. In this case, it is a question of using natural materials to promote the regeneration of the jaw bones. To do this, a kind of framework is placed to allow the bone to reform. The latter serves as a kind of guide rail, for an effective reconstruction of the bone.
Beyond that, a membrane is also installed to protect the bone reconstruction area. Since soft tissue regenerates much faster than bone, this barrier prevents bone from covering the area. This gives the bone plenty of time to rebuild itself. Bone regeneration is a practice that has several advantages. The first being the possibility of dental implants. Indeed, implants and bone loss have rarely gone hand in hand.
Placing dental implants involves a certain amount of bone density to attach the prosthesis to. Also, in case of bone loss, the implants are complicated to install. Bone regeneration is also useful in cases of severe bone loss. It allows the jaw to reconstitute a bone capital.