Most people do not panic when they lose a tooth. They view it as just a hole in their smile. It doesn’t hurt. It doesn’t stop your day. In fact, after a while, you barely think about it. You start to adjust without even realising it. People gradually shift their chewing to one side. Crunchy foods quietly disappear from your plate. Smiling in photos becomes just a little more controlled. Life goes on… more or less normally.
And that’s exactly where the real problem begins.
When you lose a tooth, chewing or biting down places pressure on the bones in your jaw. This pressure creates a stimulation to the bone to remain dense and healthy. And if the stimulation disappears, the process of bone loss begins.
This process occurs so slowly that many individuals simply do not notice until it becomes difficult to ignore.
What are the symptoms of jawbone loss?
Jawbone loss doesn’t announce itself loudly. It’s more like a series of small, easy-to-miss changes that gradually become harder to ignore.
In some cases, it will be visible in photographs as sunken areas around your cheeks or lips. For others, it may be the feeling that you can no longer chew as easily or that your denture is becoming loose or shifting more than normal.
The following are generally considered signs of jawbone loss:
- Modification in the structure of the face
- A “collapsed” or sunken appearance around the mouth
- Changes in the ability to chew certain hard foods
- Denture fit becomes poor
- There is an uneven or misaligned “bite.”
These may not seem serious by themselves, but together, these signs indicate that something is going on inside your jawbone. Gradually, it starts to make the bone weaker.
What are the possible causes of jawbone loss?
The loss of the jawbone is not usually caused by only one factor; instead, a number of factors can work together to gradually produce a negative impact on the structure that resides under the teeth.
- Missing Teeth or incomplete dental restoration
This is one of the most common cases. The jawbone becomes dependent upon stimulation from chewing in order to maintain its health. If a tooth is absent from the mouth, then the stimulating force that occurs as a result of chewing is also absent.
Consequently, the bone that resides underneath that tooth will begin to gradually lose volume. Initially, this may not seem obvious, like other factors that can result in significant volume loss over time (e.g., when you lose muscle tissue, or the presence/absence of fat, etc.). However, the longer the tooth has been missing, the more functional and aesthetic changes to the overall appearance of the person’s face become evident.
- Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease)
Gum disease affects much more than just the gum tissue. It will also work towards damaging the underlying jawbone that helps hold your teeth in place. With advancing stages of gum disease, there is an increasing likelihood that the supporting structure (i.e., bone) becomes weakened, resulting in its continued loss. Eventually, bone loss may occur due to the lack of stability from the supporting structures.
- Long-Term Denture Use
Traditional dentures do replace missing teeth, but they do not provide the same volume of support to the underlying jawbone as the roots of natural teeth do from chewing those teeth against each other. Dentures are supported or placed directly on top of the gums. Therefore, as time passes, the supporting bone structure will begin to experience a gradual loss because of the pressure that the denture places against the soft-tissue structures.
When should you see a dentist for jawbone loss?
Many people do not schedule an appointment until they experience discomfort or pain. Unfortunately, when the jawbone is missing, this strategy does not always work.
Here are some examples of when it may be beneficial to schedule an appointment with your dentist:
- You’ve had a missing tooth for a while
If you have had a tooth missing for an extended period of time, it may not be obvious, but the bone beneath the missing tooth has been changing. Generally, when a tooth is not replaced, there is an increasing chance of experiencing progressive bone loss, which becomes much more pronounced the longer the tooth remains absent.
- Your face looks slightly different, even if you can’t pinpoint why
If your facial appearance has changed slightly, but you are unsure of how, then you should consider speaking to your dentist. Small changes in the appearance and facial structure may include the loss of fullness around the cheeks or lips, which may be an early indication that the underlying jawbone has diminished.
- Dentures feel loose, uncomfortable, or need frequent adjustments
If your dentures are no longer fitting comfortably, are frequently needing to be adjusted, or are feeling loose, you should consult with your dentist. Changes to the jawbone can affect how the dentures sit. If they are feeling loose, this could indicate that the underlying bone has changed.
- Eating feels less stable than it used to
If you find that eating has become less stable than it previously was (for example, if you are avoiding eating specific foods or chewing with more caution than before), you may want to check with your dentist. If the changes to your jawbone have affected how you are biting and supporting your jaw, it can indicate a change in jawbone structure.
What treatments can be used for such a condition?
The decision of how to treat your bone loss depends on the amount of bone loss there is, so it is very important to get a proper assessment. What might be considered beneficial for one person may not be the best solution for another.
- Bone Grafting
If there has been a significant amount of bone loss, a bone graft may be performed. A bone graft procedure can assist in rebuilding any lost bone, making it strong and stable enough to support dental implants. Bone grafting will most often be an important first step toward receiving future advanced dental treatments.
- Dental Implants
Dental implants are typically considered to be the most comprehensive and permanent dental treatment option. Dental implants are inserted into the jawbone and effectively serve as a root for your new teeth. By inserting dental implants into the jawbone, they stimulate the jawbone tissue, keeping the jawbone active.
In addition to filling in the area where one or more teeth are missing, dental implants also provide support to your entire jaw, which will lead to improved stability and increased comfort while eating, as well as help to maintain a more natural facial structure.
What is McCallum Dental’s approach to addressing such conditions?
When addressing your conditions, we’re not just addressing a missing tooth. We want to understand what is happening inside your mouth and then determine how to provide a solution.
Usually, before initiating treatment, we have a consultation where we have an opportunity to get more information about the condition of your jawbone via X-rays. This evaluation step is important in determining the amount of bone loss you have experienced and which treatment will be perfect for you.
In some instances, your jawbone may require support before receiving dental implants, and therefore, you may be referred to the bone grafting procedure (as we discussed above). Once we are able to establish a solid jawbone, dental implants can be placed for functional and aesthetic purposes while providing you with a natural feel.
One of the things our patients appreciate about McCallum’s approach is that it is not rushed, but rather thoughtful and individualised, and therefore, results in a long-term resolution to the current issue and reduces the likelihood of future issues.
Make an appointment
A visit to the dentist gives you peace of mind about what is going on below the surface of your gums and teeth, what options are available to you, and which option makes sense based upon your personal circumstances.
Even just making one appointment could help prevent problems before they occur, instead of having to deal with them later on down the road.
FAQs
Ques. 1. I lost my tooth last year. And I was told that I did not have enough bone left for the dental implant. What can I do now?
Ans: This is quite common. After a tooth is lost, the jawbone can shrink over time. At McCallum Dental, a detailed assessment is done first. If there isn’t enough bone, a bone graft can often rebuild the area, making dental implants possible later.
Ques. 2. Can I get a dental implant if suffering from osteoporosis?
Ans: Yes, in many cases you can. It depends on your bone density and overall health. The dentist will assess your jawbone and review the medications you’re taking. If needed, treatments like bone grafting or adjusted implant techniques may be recommended.
Ques. 3. Can I lose bone even after a dental implant?
Ans: Yes, it’s possible. But not common if the implant is properly placed and well maintained. However, bone loss can still occur due to factors like gum disease, poor oral hygiene, smoking, or certain medical conditions. With good care and regular dental check-ups, implants can protect and maintain your jawbone over the long term.
Ques. 4. Are dental implants covered under CDCP in Canada?
Ans: No, dental implants are generally not covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). The CDCP mainly covers basic and essential dental services. In most cases, dental implants are considered an advanced or elective procedure, so they’re excluded from coverage.
