Several years ago I decided to take a trip to the dentist after skipping multiple appointments for over 15 years. I truly had a dental anxiety and had a hard time getting over my fears. Thankfully, my dental visit went smoothly with only four cavities identified. What I did find from this dental visit was that there was a great deal of new information and technology that I had been missing out on. Laser-based technology and digital imaging are just a few examples. With this blog, I want you to understand that you can get over your fears and learn about this new technology like I did, so enjoy the information.
If you recently visited your dentist to discuss dental implants, he may have told you that your jawbone has receded too much to support them and that bone grafting is necessary. Your body will reabsorb your jawbone for a number of reasons that many dental patients are not aware of. Here is an explanation of three common causes of jawbone
Lack of Stimulation
The dental socket consists of the soft tissues and bone that surround the roots of your teeth. The forces of chewing and clenching your teeth stimulate the tissues and the bone of the dental socket under normal circumstances. If this stimulation is lost, your body will begin to reabsorb the dental socket until an implant can no longer be supported.
While losing a tooth is the most common case where the bone and tissues of the dental socket begin to degrade, it can also be caused by the misalignment of the teeth. Teeth that are crooked may not place enough pressure on the
Infection
While bacteria in the mouth are well-known for causing cavities, you may not be aware that they can also damage the jawbone beneath your teeth. Plaque that is allowed to build up on the teeth will eventually become a hard substance called tartar. Tartar cannot be removed with normal brushing, as it normally develops between the teeth and the gums.
Tartar creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria beneath your gums. As your body tries to fight the microorganisms in and around the roots of your teeth, the gums and dental sockets will become inflamed and begin to recede. If bacteria eat through your dental enamel, they can also spread through the nerve of your tooth into your jawbone, creating an abscess that degrades the jawbone over time.
Other Medical Conditions
You may be surprised to learn that some medical conditions that are not directly responsible for tooth decay can lead to jawbone
If your dentist recommends dental implants, but you are suffering from jawbone
16 March 2017