Tooth extractions have their own advantages and disadvantages. They are quite necessary when the patient has a badly decayed or damaged tooth that can’t be restored. Failing to get such teeth removed can result in oral infection. But, there are certain negative effects of getting a natural tooth removed.
When a tooth is extracted, the entire structure including the crown and the root will be removed. This leaves a gap in the jawbone where the root structure existed. This development can lead to gradual jawbone deterioration, or in simple terms, shrinking of the jawbone. Sometimes, during the extraction, small traces of the jawbone may also be removed along with the tooth. This also leads to jawbone deterioration.
What are the disadvantages of jawbone deterioration?
- The rate of jawbone deterioration is very slow. You wouldn’t be able to notice any sudden changes due to it. But, over time, the change in the shape and size of the jawbone could alter the facial shape. The jaws would look very different than they used to earlier.
- Shrinking of the jawbone could induce pain in various parts such as the jaws, TMJ, ears, neck, etc. It could lead to persistent headaches over a period of time.
- Restoring a lost tooth using a dental implant would become too difficult when the jawbone volume isn’t sufficient. Placing an implant would require sufficient jawbone volume, which otherwise could lead to loosening of the implant.
What is the solution?
With the technological advancements in dentistry, an issue as serious as jawbone deterioration can be handled with a significant success rate. For this, we use a procedure called bone grafting. It is the process of extracting bone tissues from a different source and grafting them to the deteriorated area, thereby replenishing its volume.
Procedure
The dentist would conduct an initial screening of the mouth. During this, scans, x-rays, and photographs of the mouth may be taken to determine the severity of jawbone deterioration. When it comes to the source of the bone tissues that are to be extracted, we can do so by three methods.
- Autogenous bone graft: Bone tissues will be extracted from the patient’s body itself.
- Allograft: Bone tissues will be taken from human cadavers or will be synthesized artificially.
- Xenograft: Tissues will be taken from other mammals, preferably from cattle.
After the grafting procedure, a healing period of a few weeks would be suggested, during which the grafted bone tissues adhere to the jawbone and strengthen it. After this, the implant placement procedure can be carried out.
Call us at (818) 789-2034 or schedule an online appointment to have a consultation with Dr. Daniel Tebbi at our practice in Encino, CA.
References: https://www.dentalaegis.com/special-issues/2014/12...
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