Preventive Dental
Care: Jaw Health
While often overlooked, the jaw is a critical part of the
smile. From supporting the teeth to facilitating all oral function, the upper
and lower jaw play an important role in maintaining a smile’s health and
function. If compromised, patients can quickly find their standard of life diminished
and may require extensive treatments in order to restore health and strength to
the bone. With this in mind, being aware of the conditions that can compromise
the health of your jaw and knowing how to protect bone health from the future
bone issues can ensure uninterrupted oral function.
Common Dental-Related
Causes of Jaw Bone Deterioration:
Periodontal Disease:
If left untreated, the bacteria that cause gum disease are able to travel below
the gum line and begin attacking the underlying jaw bone structure. As bone
strength weakens, the stability of the dentition also becomes diminished,
leading to potential tooth loss.
To reinforce the strength of the bone, patients may require bone grafting. During this oral surgery
procedure, donor bone tissue is added to the weakened area. Over the course of
recovery, this donor tissue begins to integrate with the natural bone,
resulting in strengthened bone and improved dental stability.
Non-Implant
Restorations: Similar to how bone loss can cause tooth loss, tooth loss can
trigger bone deterioration. Teeth roots act like anchors for the bone,
providing growth stimulation for the bone. Once a tooth is loss, the bone
surrounding the lost tooth begins to deteriorate as a result of the loss of
stimulation. This process of resorption is particularly common for patients
with tradition, non-implant restorations such as bridges, partials, and full
dentures.
To help prevent these issues from compromising jaw health
and strength, consider opting for permanent dental implants or
implant-supported restorations. In Lorton and Springfield, Dr. Snehal Patel and
his team offer comprehensive implant options and work closely with patients to
develop the right implant solution for their smile.
Misalignment: In
addition to impacting the ability to bite properly, tooth misalignment can have
a domino-like impact on the jaw, leading to bruxism and accelerated teeth
damage. In cases of severe malocclusion, misalignment can trigger problems for
the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. If left unaddressed, patients can find
themselves suffering from serious difficulties in performing basic oral
functions, such as chewing, swallowing, and breathing.
Treating misalignment is a multi-faceted process that can
include orthodontics, retainers, and surgical processes in order to correct the
position of teeth and jaw. At Lorton-Springfield Dental Implants & OralSurgery, our team works closely with local dental specialists to develop a
comprehensive treatment solution for patients suffering from malocclusion.
Teeth Abscesses:
Abscesses are the consequence of untreated tooth infections. Caused when
bacteria enter the inner pulp chamber, failure to treat this condition provide
bacteria with the opportunity to travel to the base of the root and begin
creating a cyst in the jaw bone. As the abscess grows, the bone is further
damaged. Treatment for this condition requires that the cyst be removed and the
bone be sterilized, with any infected tissue removed. To reinforce the bone
following treatment, available treatments include bone grafting and ridge
modification or augmentation.
Protect Your Jaw
Health Today
A healthy jaw bone is the foundation of a healthy smile. At
our Lorton and Springfield specialty oral surgery practices, Dr. Patel can help
you maintain a healthy smile through specialized bone treatments. Contact our team today.
