Alveolar bone loss occurs when the part of the jaw that surrounds one or more teeth (or all of the teeth) tends to resorb. A tooth that is no longer completely surrounded by alveolar bone can begin to move, and if the bone resorption process is not stopped, it can eventually become completely loose. This is why it is important to determine the cause of the problem as quickly as possible, which could be severe gingivitis (ulceronecrotic, for example), osteoporosis, or type II diabetes. Surgery is often necessary to correct significant bone loss, but you can prevent it by following certain dental hygiene rules or stop it quickly by spotting its symptoms early, as you will see in this article.
Prevent bone loss
Prevent alveolar bone loss by following essential dental hygiene rules. To avoid bone loss that could require a very expensive graft, you should adopt early habits that help preserve your teeth and gums, such as those described below..
- Brush your teeth thoroughly after every meal, if possible, and at least twice a day to keep your gums in excellent condition. Regular brushing protects your gums from bacterial infections by preventing plaque from forming on your teeth. These infections are the main cause of alveolar bone resorption.
- Floss between your teeth after each brushing to remove plaque that the toothbrush couldn't reach.
Visit your dentist regularly. Dental cavities can cause alveolar bone loss. By having your teeth checked regularly by a professional, you can avoid overlooking problems that may seem insignificant when your teeth, gums, or bones are not yet significantly affected. You can also take advantage of your dental visits to have your teeth thoroughly cleaned.
- To preserve all the alveolar bone in both of your jaws, you must make sure to keep all of your teeth healthy.
- Visit your dentist every 6 months for a routine cleaning to ensure your teeth are in optimal condition.
- Regular visits allow your dentist to check the condition of your gums and take early steps to protect them when a problem is detected.
- X-rays can clearly distinguish areas where alveolar bone is resorbing.
- If you do not visit your dentist regularly, abnormal alveolar bone loss may not be detected until late, when the only solution is bone grafting or when it has become irreversible.
Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste. This chemical can help strengthen your teeth and gums to prevent alveolar bone loss. It works by attaching to tooth enamel to make it more resistant to the acid released in the mouth during and after a meal.
- It is recommended to avoid fluoride other than that found in toothpaste, as it becomes harmful to teeth from 2 mg per day and toxic to the body beyond this dosage.
- Use fluoride toothpaste only once a day.
- Children under 10 years old should not brush their teeth with fluoride-enriched toothpaste.
Eat more calcium-rich foods to strengthen your bones. Calcium is involved in the formation of bones and teeth, and it's important to ensure your diet provides enough calcium to prevent weakening of your jaw bones. By getting enough calcium every day, you can maintain jaw bone density and reduce the risk of alveolar bone resorption..
- Foods rich in calcium include low-fat milk, yogurt, soy milk, cheese, and spinach.
- Calcium can also be absorbed through tablet supplements.
- Ensure adequate calcium intake by taking one tablet (Caltrate 600+) after lunch and one after dinner. If you are unable or forget to take a tablet, take it as soon as you can or remember.
Make sure you're getting enough vitamin D so your body can absorb the calcium. You can take vitamin D supplements or get plenty of sun to ensure your body gets enough. Vitamin D plays a role in binding calcium to bones and maintaining bone density..
- Your doctor may do a blood test to test the level of vitamin D in your blood and to determine if you are deficient in this vitamin.
- Vitamin D deficiency occurs when there is no more than 40 ng/ml of it in the blood.
- It is recommended to maintain a vitamin D level of 50 ng/ml of blood.
- Take a 5,000 IU vitamin D supplement daily.
Recovering bone with the help of a healthcare professional
Benefit from bone grafting surgery. When alveolar bone has been lost, the deficiency is rarely filled. The only way to compensate for the loss is to transfer bone material from another part of the body than the jaw. After such a graft, it generally takes two weeks for the marks and discomfort caused by the operation to disappear. .
- It often takes between 3 and 6 months for the bone to stabilize in the operated area.
- Bone grafting performed to compensate for alveolar bone loss is generally carried out in 3 stages as you will see in the rest of this article.
Benefit from an osteogenesis-type bone graft designed to stimulate alveolar bone growth. This operation is performed by taking bone material from the jaw and transferring it precisely to the area where the alveolar bone has resorbed. The transplanted bone cells can then multiply naturally to reclaim the space that was lost around the tooth..
- Bone transplantation is the most effective dental surgery technique to compensate for alveolar bone loss.
- Graft rejection problems are avoided because the recipient and donor are one and the same person.
- Transplantation for osteogenesis is often done from bone marrow.
Learn about osteoconduction bone grafting. This technique involves implanting bone material where the alveolar bone has been resorbed. New bone cells will form around the implant, which serves as a basic structure .
- The implant can be made of bioactive glass.
- Bone cells naturally multiply on the bioactive glass from the bone graft material.
- The structure of bioactive glass serves as a framework for the development of bone cells. This material also contains chemicals that stimulate the multiplication of bone cells.
Take advantage of the osteoinduction technique that stimulates the growth of bone cells. Demineralized bone matrix (DBM), which comes from a bone graft bank, is implanted into the part of the jaw where alveolar bone is missing. This material stimulates the growth of osteoblast-type bone cells from which new bone material is created
- Demineralized bone matrix is sometimes sourced from cadavers. Bone graft banks can legally use this source. These cadaveric materials are completely safe because they are completely sterilized before being implanted.
- First, the material is checked for suitability for transplantation, and then it is tested on the recipient's body to ensure there are no rejection problems.
- This second precaution must always be taken, because there may be rejection even if the graft has been selected as rigorously as possible.
Undergo a deep cleaning if the alveolar bone loss is due to infection. Non-surgical root planing is a technique that cleans the tooth root and removes any parts that may have caused the bacterial infection that caused the bone loss. After this cleaning, gum problems and bone loss are often reversed
- This technique is often used to treat the roots of teeth in diabetic individuals. These individuals are often advised to take antibiotics and use antibacterial mouthwashes.
- Doxycycline (an antibiotic) may be prescribed to diabetics, at a dosage of 100 mg per day for 14 days. This molecule can compensate for the weaknesses of the diabetic's immune system.
- Chlorhexidine may also be prescribed to neutralize bacteria that infect the gums. Generally, you should rinse your mouth with 10 ml of a 0.2% chlorhexidine solution for 30 seconds at least once a day for 14 days.
Take estrogen therapy to prevent osteoporosis. This hormone helps maintain healthy mineral levels in bones, reducing the risk of bone loss and fractures. It also helps reduce the risk of heart attack. There are various estrogen hormone therapies available.. Some of the most common are shown below.
- Estrace is taken in a daily dose of 1 to 2 mg for 3 weeks.
- Premarin is taken at a daily dose of 0.3 mg for 25 days.
- Self-adhesive patches that attach to the skin around the stomach and below the waist, such as:
- the Alora,
- the Climara,
- Estraderm,
- the Vivelle-Dot.
Understanding risk factors and spotting symptoms early
Know the symptoms and react as early as possible. It's difficult to detect bone loss in its early stages just by looking at the teeth and gums. X-rays are needed to detect jawbone shrinkage. If you haven't seen your dentist in a long time, your alveolar bone could be severely damaged by the time the problem is detected.
- You may notice some changes if you are experiencing alveolar bone loss. The bone tends to slowly shrink around the tooth roots.
- The teeth tend to flare.
- Spaces form between the teeth.
- The teeth begin to loosen.
- The teeth tend to tilt.
- The teeth move in rotation.
- You get different sensations when you bite into something.
Understand that severe gum problems can cause alveolar bone loss. Periodontitis and gum disease are often caused by bacteria found in dental plaque, and they often end up causing bone loss if not treated early .Bone shrinkage is caused by bacterial toxins that are secreted into the gums.
- The immune system can also destroy bone cells while fighting a dental bacterial infection. The body's defense cells secrete substances such as matrix metalloproteinases, catabolin, prostaglandin E2, and cachectin (tumor necrosis factor).
Learn about the effects of diabetes on alveolar bone This disease, which is caused by a problem with insulin production (in type 1 diabetes) or insulin response (in type 2 diabetes), can have very negative effects on teeth. People who suffer from it often have serious gum problems that can lead to bone loss .
- People with diabetes have a problem with hyperglycemia, that is, too high blood sugar levels, which promotes the growth of bacteria harmful to the alveolar bone.
- People with diabetes are more likely to experience a tooth infection because they have weakened white blood cells.
Be aware of the damage osteoporosis can cause to all bones in the body. It typically occurs in women over 60, leading to a decrease in bone density. It is often due to a mineral imbalance between calcium and phosphate, as well as a decrease in estrogen levels in the blood..
- A general bone imbalance also affects the jaw bones with risks of alveolar bone loss.
Be aware that tooth extraction may be accompanied by bone loss. The jawbone can shrink rapidly after losing or removing one or more teeth. A blood clot forms at the missing tooth site, and white blood cells concentrate there to neutralize bacteria and destroy damaged tissue. Immune system cells may continue to work in the area for a few weeks
- When a tooth remains in a wound, osteon cells can promote bone formation. However, when the tooth is completely removed, no bone is created.
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Dentistry