Jawbone Health

Your teeth play an important role in the health of your jaw.  Missing teeth can cause bone loss at the site of the extraction, which can lead to problems with your oral health and appearance. Jawbone loss can lead to a number of problems that can affect your quality of life.

Your jaw’s bone tissue is maintained by use, similar to how your body’s muscles use exercise. When teeth are correctly placed in the jawbone, activities such as chewing will stimulate the jawbone.  When teeth are missing, the jawbone will not receive this stimulation, and the bone will begin to break down or reabsorb into the body.

What Types of Problems Can Tooth Loss Cause?

Tooth and Jawbone Structure loss can result in a number of problems, including:

• Expansion of the sinus
• Difficulty or pain during chewing
• Decreased lip support
• TMJ Pain or headaches
• Drifting or loosening of remaining teeth
• Difficulty speaking
• Adjustments to your facial profile

If you are experiencing symptoms due to loss of jawbone structure, visit Northside Minnesota Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons today to see what options are available to you.