Oral Surgery of Erie, PC
Erie
(814) 453-4491
  • Home
  • Patient Information
    • Introduction
    • Practice History
    • First Visit
    • Scheduling
    • Financial and Insurance Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Online Videos
  • Procedures
    • Dental Implants
    • Bone Grafting
      • Overview
      • Jawbone Health
      • Jawbone Loss and Deterioration
      • About Bone Grafting
      • Ridge Augmentation
      • Sinus Lift
      • Nerve Repositioning
      • Socket Preservation
    • Wisdom Teeth
    • Orthognathic Surgery
    • Facial Trauma
    • Pre-prosthetic Surgery
    • Oral Pathology
    • Sleep Apnea
    • Cleft Lip & Palate
    • Impacted Canines
    • Facial Cosmetics
      • Rhinoplasty
      • Laser Skin Resurfacing
  • Meet Us
    • Meet Dr. Simmons
  • Surgical Instructions
    • Anesthesia Instructions
    • Post-Operative Instructions
  • Referring Doctors
    • Referral Form
    • Links of Interest
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Information / Office Map

Procedures

  • Dental Implants
  • Bone Grafting
    • Overview
    • Jawbone Health
    • Jawbone Loss and Deterioration
    • About Bone Grafting
    • Ridge Augmentation
    • Sinus Lift
    • Nerve Repositioning
    • Socket Preservation
  • Wisdom Teeth
  • Orthognathic Surgery
  • Facial Trauma
  • Pre-prosthetic Surgery
  • Oral Pathology
  • Sleep Apnea
  • Cleft Lip & Palate
  • Impacted Canines
  • Facial Cosmetics
    • Rhinoplasty
    • Laser Skin Resurfacing

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. Natural teeth are embedded in the jawbone, and stimulate the jawbone through activities such as chewing and biting. When teeth are missing, the alveolar bone, or the portion of the jawbone that anchors the teeth in the mouth, no longer receives the necessary stimulation, and begins to break down, or resorb. The body no longer uses or “needs” the jawbone, so it deteriorates and goes away.

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]) pain, facial pain, and headaches
  • Difficulty speaking and communicating
  • Inadequate nutrition as a result of the inability to chew properly and painlessly
  • Sinus expansion
  • Home
  • Patient Information
  • Procedures
  • Meet Us
  • Surgical Instructions
  • Referring Doctors
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Sitemap

Oral Surgery of Erie • Address: 316 W 23rd Street Erie, PA 16502 • Phone: 814-453-4491 • Fax:

Erie photos courtesy of Gibbens Creative / Elite Aerial Images

Oral Surgery Website Design by PBHS ©2014