Jawbone Loss And Deterioration

Gum or periodontal disease is an ongoing infection of the gums, and it will slowly destroy the supporting structures of your teeth. Gum disease will affect the periodontal tissues, including the gingiva, cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone. While there are numerous diseases that could affect the structures that support the teeth, inflammatory lesions caused by plaque buildup make up most periodontal issues, and they are divided into two main categories: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the less serious of the two and can be reversed, but left untreated, it can result in periodontitis.

Gingivitis is typically caused by dental plaque, which is a colorless and sticky film that is composed of bacteria and food particles. This film will adhere to the teeth at and below the gumline, and it will start forming even minutes after you brush. Toxins are caused by bacteria found in the plaque, and they irritate the gums, causing them to become red and inflamed. If this irritation is allowed to progress, the gums can begin to pull away from the teeth to form pockets. Further neglecting your oral hygiene can cause the plaque to harden into a substance known as tartar, which can only be removed with the specialized tools found in your dentist's office.

The more serious form of gum disease, periodontitis, will be affected by the bacteria that stick to the surface of the teeth along with an aggressive immune system response to the bacteria. If gingivitis is allowed to progress into periodontitis, you will experience deterioration of both the gum tissue and the jawbone that works to hold the teeth in their proper place. If this bone loss continues, the teeth can begin to loosen and fall out.

Dentures that are unanchored will be placed onto the top of the gumline, so they aren't going to provide any stimulation to the underlying jawbone. With time, this lack of stimulation will lead to deterioration of that bone. Because this form of denture will rely on the bone to hold the dentures in place, people typically experience loosening of the dentures and problems with speaking and eating. Eventually, the loss of bone could become so severe that the dentures can't be held in place even with extremely strong adhesives, and a new set of dentures could be required. Proper care, refitting, and repair of your dentures will also be needed to maintain your positive oral health.

Some types of dentures will be supported by implants or anchors, and they are able to adequately stimulate the bone, allowing more of the bone to be preserved than with traditional dentures.

With bridges, the teeth on each side of the appliance will be used to provide stimulation to the jawbone. However, the portion of the dental bridge that crosses the gap of missing teeth won't receive direct stimulation, so bone loss could occur in that area. Bone grafting will be able to restore the growth and function of the bone, halting the negative and damaging effects of poor denture care.