Bone loss in teeth means that there is a loss of bone in the jaw that holds the teeth in place. This is a major concern because as bone loss occurs, the teeth lose their anchor in the bone and are at risk of falling out. This can lead to problems with eating, nutrition, infections and self-esteem. There are some treatments that can correct and improve bone loss.
Bone Grafting
According to the Mayo Clinic, bone grafting is done when diseases such as periodontitis have destroyed the bone around the tooth. To perform this procedure the oral surgeon uses a graft of your own bone, or donated or synthetic bone can also be used. Once this bone graft is in place it helps to regenerate bone growth and offer additional stability to the teeth. This is commonly done in accident victims who have suffered a large amount of bone loss that needs to be replaced before dental options such as implants can be offered. It takes several months for the site to heal completely.
Guided Tissue Regeneration
Sometimes bones that hold the teeth in place become damaged by bacterial infections. When this occurs, your periodontist or oral surgeon might decide to use guided tissue regeneration. According to the Mayo Clinic, this procedure is performed by placing a piece of biocompatible fabric between the bone and the tooth. This material prevents unwanted tissues from growing in the space and allows the bone to grow and replace the lost bone. The person will need to follow a regimen of oral hygiene that will promote healing. This process can take several weeks to heal and grow together before further treatment.
Ridge Modification
According to the American Academy of Periodontology, deformities can sometimes occur in the upper and lower jaw. Ridge modification helps to correct this problem by surgically lifting the gum away, revealing the bone underneath. The oral surgeon or periodontist then places new bone or a bone substitute on the ridge and sutures the gums together. The bone is usually allowed to grow back and heal for 12 months.
