How Tooth Loss Causes Bone Loss

If you are missing just one tooth and think that since it’s at the back of your mouth and can’t be seen, you have no health consequences, you should think again. According to dental experts, just one missing tooth can lead to bone loss.

Understanding Bone Loss from Missing Teeth

With a significant rise in adults with missing teeth, it is more important than ever today that people are educated about the effects of missing teeth. With an ageing population and high rates of periodontal disease, many adults are missing one or more teeth.

How Your Face Shape Can Change

But the problem is that most people believe it’s simply a case of aesthetics. They don’t truly know that losing just one tooth can impact natural teeth and change the shape of their face.

According to experts, missing only one tooth can cause major bone loss over time, such that the person’s jaw structure changes, other teeth shift and the shape of the face changes. Over time, a person develops a sunken – or drooping – jaw. All of this can affect an individual’s eating habits as well as their self-esteem.

Early Treatment to Prevent Bone Loss

The effect on self-esteem can mean a person socialises less and withdraws from the activities that they once enjoyed. It prevents people from fully participating in life. Early treatment with a dental implant is the preferred solution for most people. This should be done when you are still in good general health and have sufficient bone in your jaw to support an implant.

Tips for Denture Wearers

Generally, the longer you are missing a tooth, the more bone loss will occur. Those who are missing all their teeth and opt for dentures must ensure the fit is correct, as dentures do not prevent bone loss in the same way that an implant would.

Also, poorly fitting dentures can mean avoiding certain foods. Less chewing leads to reduced stimulation of bone in the jaw, thus triggering more bone loss. It is an aggressive cycle that is best prevented by maintaining good health and having dentures that fit well.

Minimising the Damage to Bones and Gums

Keep in mind, however, that bone loss and receding gums are problems associated with dentures while a dental implant prevents bone loss. If you choose dentures, your aim will be to minimise problems but they are not completely preventable.

Other Options for Tooth Loss

As suggested, the ideal situation is generally to have a tooth implant to replace the missing tooth. This is a solution that avoids a loss of bone because it becomes part of your jaw, connecting to bone and avoiding the significant bone loss that occurs without the implant.

How Do Implants Help Prevent Bone Loss?

Dental implants are secure because they integrate with your jaw. The pressure that occurs on the implant crown – the part you see above the gum line that looks like a natural tooth – has the action of stimulating the bone underneath the implant. This helps prevent bone loss and also receding gums.

Preventing Bone Loss

If you choose an implant, make sure you find an experienced dental surgeon. Ideally, you should get the treatment early on to ensure bone loss is avoided. With a dental implant, missing teeth don’t have to affect your eating habits or confidence.