Why do Bone Levels Matter?

Have you ever heard our Port Melbourne dentists discussing the bone levels around your teeth? This may be true, especially if you’ve had one or more missing teeth for a longer period. You may have wondered if bone height and quantity are important when it comes to your teeth. After all, your gum tissues help hold them in, too.

But your bone is foundational to a healthy, stable smile. You could compare it to setting a post down into cement. The deeper and more coverage there is around the pole, the more secure it will be to support a fence. But if the cement base is shallow, the post can start to rock or lean when force is applied to it. It’s the same with your smile!

Reasons for Bone Loss and Deterioration

Bone loss can occur for a number of reasons, such as:

• Tooth loss
• Tooth extraction without replacing it
• Gum disease
• Loose dentures
• Injury or trauma to your face
• Misalignment of teeth

What are the Consequences of Bone Loss?

The jawbone is an essential part of your facial structure. Not only does it provide structure to your face, but it also allows you to chew and speak properly. However, when you experience jawbone deterioration, it can cause serious consequences such as:

• Your facial muscles can weaken and lips and chin to sink inwards, resulting in a sunken appearance.
• You may experience headaches, facial pain and jaw pain.
• It can affect functions such as your ability to chew and speak properly.
• It can affect the alignment of your teeth.
• The inability to bite and chew properly can lead to inadequate nutrition.
• It can affect your eligibility for dental implants.

For these reasons, it is very important to prevent bone loss.

During your checkup, we’ll measure bone levels using a small tool as well as dental X-rays. If you have deep gum pockets, this signals that there is bone loss taking place around your teeth. We can compare yearly X-rays to show you the changes your smile has made throughout the years. Over time, it can lead to gum recession, tooth mobility, and tooth loss. And if you have hopes of getting dental implants, you might be out of luck, because implants require a certain amount of bone to help support them!

Fortunately, ongoing home care, regular scales and cleans, and even grafting treatments can help you maintain healthy bone levels around your teeth. So, if you have concerns about implant qualifications or tooth loss, be sure to let our Port Melbourne dentists know!

At PMD Dental Care, we look at your entire smile; not just your teeth! Everything from your gums and bone to your overall wellness has a role to play in the long-term health of your teeth. If it’s been longer than six months since your last exam, be sure to call us today to schedule a checkup!