Dental bone loss can be treated, and even some of the lost bone tissue can be restored depending on the cause and degree of loss․ Treatment can prevent further bone loss and address some lost tissue to ensure the stability of your teeth․ Which approach is best may depend on how much of the bone is involved and whether the underlying condition persists․
When periodontal disease is the cause of bone loss‚ the primary goal is to control the underlying infection causing the periodontitis․ Scaling and root planing is professional deep cleaning to remove bacteria and tartar below the gums․ This allows the tissue around the tooth and the root to heal, eliminating the inflammation responsible for the bone loss․ In some more advanced cases‚ antibiotics and continuous periodontal maintenance appointments are needed to prevent its return․
If pockets have formed around the teeth and they are too deep to be cleaned effectively using non-surgical methods‚ surgery may be recommended․ Periodontal surgery provides your dentist with direct access to the infected pockets so that these can be cleaned and their depth reduced․ The result leaves you with a less bacteria-prone environment, which is easier to maintain, but it does not replace lost bone.
When there has already been a loss of bone and support‚ regenerative techniques can help reconstruct normal support․ The most common technique is bone grafting‚ in which a bone tissue is placed within existing bone in order to regenerate new bone․ The new material is gradually incorporated into the body to reproduce the original bone density and structure․ Grafts are sometimes complemented with the use of membranes or growth factors to promote bone regeneration․
Replacing missing teeth can be an important method of maintaining bone strength because the bone density will continue to decrease if teeth are not replaced․ Dental implants fuse with the jawbone and behave like normal roots. They stimulate the bone during chewing and jaw motion‚ which reduces or prevents the loss of bone that occurs without roots in the prosthetic areas․
It is crucial to treat contributing factors to prevent further bone loss and any disruption to bone restoration measures․ For example‚ smoking delays healing and slows or stops the success of regenerative procedures․ Bone-related health conditions and other medical conditions may also require treatment alongside dental procedures to ensure better outcomes‚ as they may help establish a more stable environment․
Maintenance is essential for success following your treatment․ Regular periodontal maintenance appointments will allow the dentist to monitor any changing bone levels․ With good oral health practices‚ including regular brushing and flossing at home‚ you can keep the bacteria level down and prolong the results of your treatment․
Most bone loss cannot be reversed completely‚ but there are many ways to restore function and prevent further issues from occurring․ With a regular care routine and a thorough plan for treatment‚ you can restore stability to the bone under your teeth and ensure long-term oral health․
If you have more questions about dental bone loss or how addressing it could help you achieve better dental health, make an appointment with the dentist to see your treatment options for bone loss.
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