Face Starting to Show Loss of Bone from Bridges: Can I Slow Down Bone Loss?
Eva, from Atlanta, asks:
To make a long story short, I'm a 47 year old female who at the age of 15 had a moped accident and knocked out one front tooth, broke the next one. Apparently the dentist believed I needed a bridge and extracted my 2 front teeth, mounted the bridge to the two outers and so now 4 teeth were affected. Over the years of course the bridges have been updated. The most recent involved an extraction so now I've got 6 teeth compromised.
Presently, my face is starting to show the loss of bone under my upper lip, and it's a constant source of worry of continued bone loss and aesthetics.
So, here I am to see what my chances are at a better solution. Essentially, it's been 30 years of missing teeth and I'm wondering if there is any future for me other than ending up toothless at a premature age. I don't know if I'm a candidate for implants or not and even whether I could afford them at this point.
I wonder if it's possible just to recover the shape of the lost bone/tissue and slow down the recession of bone loss even if I'm not a candidate for implants? Or if I am at this point, am I looking at a major procedure?
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes ONLY. It is not medical advice. The use of the Web Site is at your own risk. >>Read More
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Bone loss around teeth and dental implants
Hello,
Bone loss can occur either from tooth loss, trauma, or infection such as gum disease. There are predictable procedures to regenerate lost bone, whether it is for implant support or to improve tissue form. Bone grafting can be discussed as an option by your oral surgeon. Recession of bone is enhanced by use of partial or full dentures, so the only way to slow it down is by not using such a prosthesis.
On my website I have more information on grafting procedures that can help you understand the options.
I hope this is helpful.
Dr. H. Ryan Kazemi
http://www.facialart.com/
Lost Lip Support
Hello Eva
The restoration of lip support may involve bone & soft tissue grafting and implant placement. Your oral surgeon will present treatment options and co-ordinate procedures with your general dentist, who will be responsible for the prosthesis.
Bone grafting procedures have become predictable with graft material improvement and tissue growth factors. Diagnosis of the required graft volume can accurately be evaluated and planned with C.T. scanning.
Good Luck
Theodore M Grossman D.M.D.
www.Fortlauderdaleoralsurgery.com
Dr. Theodore M. Grossman
Slow down bone loss
Hi Eva -
After 30 years there can be significant changes in your appearance due to various reasons. As mentioned in the previous responses, technology has increased our knowledge base, and there may be many treatment options that can allow the restoration of your oral condition. The goal being to help support your facial features and make you look younger.
The solution will most likely be a combination of surgical and restorative / prosthetic. To aid in the planning process, diagnostic study casts mounted on an articulator will help to identify potential issues with your bite. A diagnostic wax-up can then be completed by the dental lab, to determine where your teeth need to be to best support your face. As was also mentioned above, I would highly advise a Cone Beam CT (CBCT) scan assessment of the three dimensional picture of your bone, which could be done with a scanning template made from the diagnostic wax-up to relate the tooth position to your existing bone foundation. Once these have been completed, the treatment options can be reviewed by the clinicians who will be on your team.
Hope this helps -
Scott D. Ganz, DMD
www.drganz.com
Dr. Scott Ganz
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