Having enough jaw bone is important for your teeth and facial structures. The jaw bone shapes your face and makes it symmetrical. Furthermore, it holds your teeth together and maintains their position.
However, due to certain causes, your teeth bone may deteriorate and get reabsorbed in the body. This can weaken the jaw and also lead to tooth loss. Finding ways of how to stimulate bone growth naturally is, therefore, important. But, before you know the different ways, it is vital to know what are the causes.
What Causes Teeth Loss?
Two factors cause the loss of jaw bone:
Periodontitis is an inflammation that affects the gingivae and the surrounding tissue. Tartar is the primary cause of gum disease, and failure to address the gum inflammation on time can cause periodontitis.
Severe periodontal diseases spread to surrounding tissues and start to eat the way the alveolar bone that holds the teeth. Over time, the infection can cause bone loss and loosening of the teeth.
- Missing teeth
Once your teeth are extracted, they leave behind spaces. These gaps can affect your jaw bone. Leaving them unfilled can cause the dissolving of the alveolar bone. Plus, the surrounding teeth can shift to the available spaces causing the teeth to weaken. All these factors contribute to jaw atrophy.
About 25 percent of bone is lost with the first year of tooth loss, and this will continue unless the teeth are replaced.
What Procedures Can Stimulate Bone Growth?
Several procedures are available that can help stimulate natural bone regeneration. Our periodontist in Salt Lake City carries out these procedures, which include:
1. Bone graft
Bone grafting is a normal procedure done to generate new bone. The treatment is a minimally invasive procedure where the dentist uses new bone material to regenerate the bone. Usually, the dentist uses new bone from your body, the hips. However, when that is not an option, we may get the bone from a cadaver or animal. These bones are sterilized to make them for your body.
Three types of bone graft procedures can be done:
- Block bone graft. This involves using jaw bone from the back of your jaw bone. It is normally done if you have significant bone loss.
- Socket graft. This grafting procedure is done at the same time as the tooth removal procedure. The dentist will fix a bone material on the socket of the teeth to help it heal into a solid bone. This procedure helps to prevent post-extraction bone loss.
- Sinus lifts. It is also called sinus augmentation and is a procedure done to add bone to the upper jaw. The dentist will move part of the sinus membrane upward to make room for the bone.
After the bone graft, there may be a pain, but you can manage it with home remedies such as ice and prescribed pain medications.
2. Emdogain Gel
Emdogain® is a gel containing protein to stimulate the new gum tissue and ligament growth.
Periodontal disease can affect the soft tissue and ligaments that hold the teeth together, and the gel may help stimulate regeneration.
3. Guided Tissue Regeneration
The teeth are held in place by bone and other tissues, and periodontitis can affect them cause them to deteriorate. The dentist may use the GTR procedure that involves placing a membrane to act as a barrier to keep the soft tissues from growing into the damaged area. It also promotes faster bone regeneration.
With GTR, the new bone and ligaments start to grow within six months to support the teeth.
Can Bone Loss Be Prevented?
Bone loss can be prevented in two ways: proper hygiene and dental implant. The dentist can fix a tooth replacement immediately after the teeth are extracted and gums heal. A socket graft can also be done to stimulate new bone growth.
Proper hygiene and regular dental cleanings will help to keep gum disease away and thus protects your teeth.
Schedule an Appointment
Visit Salt Lake Implant & Periodontics for more information on bone regeneration and the procedures involved,