Typically, bone loss in the jaw occurs due to chronic periodontitis and tooth loss. When you contract gum disease, the infection spreads to the periodontal ligament and the underlying jawbone. If you have a missing tooth because of trauma or tooth decay, you could lose your jawbone due to a lack of stimulation from your tooth and its root. This is the reason you should consider getting Coconut Creek dental implants when you have missing teeth. Keep reading to learn more about bone loss and how you can avoid it:

What is Bone Loss

The bone that supports your teeth is called the alveolar bone. It is composed of ridges that your teeth are embedded on. A lot of people think that dentures will alleviate bone loss; however, they don’t. Indeed, dentures only exert a chewing force.

In addition, resorption can occur when the upper jaw molars are removed. This can result in the expansion of the sinus cavity. Because of the changes in the sinus cavity pressure, bone loss in your jaw can happen. Bone loss can also occur because of tumors in the face, a misaligned jaw or teeth, and an infection that prevents new bone tissue growth. 

Reasons Bone Resorption Happens After You Lose a Tooth

As with other bones or tissues in your body, your jaw bone must be stimulated to remain healthy and strong. Any unused muscle will deteriorate, and this holds true with your jaw bone. The roots of healthy teeth transmit the force of biting and chewing into the jaw bone, stimulating the one and keeping it healthy.

However, when you lose one tooth, you also lose the root. Thus, the pressure and force of daily activities can no longer be transmitted into the jaw bone. When this happens, jaw bone resorption occurs. This means that the bone will weaken and deteriorate. Without a dental implant, you could lose a quarter of your jaw bone mass in the impacted area within only one year of losing a tooth. 

How Dental Implants Prevent Bone Loss

Dental implants function as artificial teeth. They are surgically placed into your gum and jawbone. After they have healed, they transmit the force of daily smiling, chewing, and biting into the jawbone, preventing bone from deteriorating. 

By getting dental implants, you won’t lose a jaw bone. Bone loss can weaken the jaw and change your facial look. Implants stimulate the jaw bone just like your natural teeth, preventing bone resorption.