Bone Loss and Tooth Extractions Explained

Often before we jump in to an extraction, we like to spend the time discussing with the patient options for down the road.  Bone loss happens as a natural process after a tooth is removed. The bone will start to remodel and change shape gradually. It can happen faster or slower for each person and also depending on which region of the jaw.  The jaw bone is much softer in the upper jaw and bone loss is faster.

We like to think of bone as a muscle, very similar to a muscle in use it becomes stronger.  Without stimulation or from denture pressure on the gum tissue only, the bone will start to shrink.

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Does a bridge or denture cause your bone loss to stop from shrinking? The answer is no.  A bridge has something called a pontic (fake tooth) that rests above the missing space and is joined to adjacent teeth.  A denture works by sitting on the gum tissue directly.  A denture actually causes more bone loss than a bridge due to the rubbing action of the denture on the gum tissue and bone underneath it over years.

If you are unsure about a dental implant at the time of tooth removal, then an alternative option especially for front teeth is to place a bone graft in the area so that the bone does not collapse as quickly.  

For more information about Bowmanville dental implants please contact us at 905-697-1118

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