Schedule Appointment
New Patients: 503-647-4565  |   Current Patients: 503-636-2525
Nicholas Dose, DMD Family Dentistry
Decrotive overlay of white triangle

Bone Loss in Jaw

Lake Oswego, OR

Bone loss commonly occurs when you lose teeth since the bone is reabsorbed back into your body. Chronic periodontitis is another cause since bacteria eat away at your jaw bone and its ligaments. At Nicholas Dose, DMD Family Dental Care we not only want you to understand how serious this is, but also that we’re here to help. You also need to understand that you’re not alone when you suffer from this dilemma because there are many other common reasons for it as well.

Nicholas Dose, DMD Family Dentistry
Decrotive overlay of white triangle

Tooth Extractions

When you have an adult tooth removed and don’t replace it, your jawbone may deteriorate. This is because the area that typically anchors your tooth in your mouth is no longer being stimulated, so your body feels this part of your jawbone is unnecessary. Most of your jawbone loss here will occur within the first 18 months after the extraction, which is why it’s so important to get a denture during this time.

Periodontal Disease

Ongoing infections in your gums will gradually destroy the natural support of your teeth. There are different types of this disease that affect different parts of your mouth, but it all starts with a buildup of dental plaque (a sticky, colorless film, composed of food particles and bacteria). This irritates your gums and eventually turns into tartar (a rough, porous substance) that affects the area under your gum line. The result is deterioration in your jawbone if left untreated and allowed to progress far enough.

Dentures

Unfortunately, when you have dentures, they don’t directly stimulate your jawbone since they’re placed on top of your gum line. This also results in problems with you being able to eat and speak correctly. Left long enough, your dentures won’t be able to be held in place at all.

Bridgework

In a similar way to dentures, your bridges can also cause jaw bone loss. This is because they don’t provide enough stimulation for your bone.

Trauma

When you have a tooth knocked out of your mouth, you no longer have a biting surface left beneath your gumline, so your jaw bone is no longer being stimulated here. It doesn’t matter if you have an injury, accident, jaw fracture, or another type of trauma, it will affect your jaw bone in this way.

Developmental Deformities or Misalignment

Birth defects can cause you to be born without a part of your jaw bone. At other times, your child’s tooth may over-erupt as they’re growing. This can result in issues such as TMJ, which, when left untreated interferes with their ability to chew their food properly. Over time their jaw bone will deteriorate because it isn’t being properly stimulated.

One of the most common treatment procedures is a bone graft to restore function to this area of your mouth by promoting new bone growth there.

Are you suffering from jawbone loss? Give us a call at 503-647-4565. We are happy to help you learn more about your smile!

Decrotive overlay of white triangle
Nicholas Dose, DMD Family Dentistry

Our Patients Love Us!

We thank every one of our patients for making us Lake Oswego’s dentist. See what your neighbors are saying about us.

Read All Reviews
Decrotive overlay of white triangle
Nicholas Dose, DMD Family Dentistry

Learn more about us in person!

Schedule your new patient or second-opinion consultation today.

Schedule Appointment