The Importance of Teeth for Jaw Bone Health

When one or more teeth are missing, it can lead to jawbone loss at the site of the gap. This loss of jawbone can develop into additional problems, both with your appearance and your overall health. You may experience pain, problems with your remaining teeth, and altered facial appearance, and eventually even the inability to speak and eat normally.

In that same way that muscles are maintained through exercise, bone tissue is maintained by use. Los dientes naturales están incrustados en el hueso de la mandíbula, y estimular la mandíbula a través de actividades tales como masticar y morder. Cuando faltan dientes, el hueso alveolar, o la parte de la mandíbula que ancla los dientes en la boca, ya no recibe la estimulación necesaria, y comienza a descomponerse, o reabsorber. The body no longer uses or “needs” la mandíbula, por lo que se deteriora y desaparece.

Potential Consequences of Tooth and Jawbone Loss

• Problems with remaining teeth, including, misalignment, drifting, loosening and loss
• Collapsed facial profile
• Limited lip support
• Skin wrinkling around the mouth
• Distortion of other facial features
• Jaw (temporomandibular joint TMJ) dolor, facial pain, and headaches
• Difficulty speaking and communicating
• Inadequate nutrition as a result of the inability to chew properly and painlessly
• Sinus expansion