After full mouth extractions, an individual is considered edentulous. After the extraction sites have healed, a bony ridge (residual ridge) is left on the maxilla and mandible. Over the course of the person's lifetime, the residual ridge will shrink in size (resorption). Although there are many factors that affect the rate of resorption, individuals who wear complete dentures will experience accelerated residual ridge resorption compared to those who do not wear complete dentures.
Wikipedia has some great information on edentulousness and ridge resorption. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edentulism
You may also be interested in consulting with a local Denturist for more information.
2007-05-11 20:21:18
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answer #1
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answered by Kim 2
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Doc Dave is right. A good portion of the jaw bone is there only to support the teeth. Once the teeth are gone this bone starts to resorb or disappear. After many years the jaw can actually become so thin that it can easily break.
This is the reason that dentures need to be remade or relined every few years. After the teeth are gone, the jaw bone keeps getting smaller so we have to make a denture to fit the new, smaller shape of the jaw.
The moral of this story is:
Keep your teeth as long as you can.
2007-05-11 23:36:40
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answer #2
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answered by mulberry 2
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The docs are right. Have you ever seen a photo of a person who has worn full dentures for many years? Notice how their face looks rather "shriveled." This is because their jaw has (for lack of a better way to say it...) "shrunken" because they don't have natural teeth.
This is a good reason to think carefully before having teeth extracted.
Can implants help slow down the jawbone loss? I'm not sure, but that is a good question for a dentist!
2007-05-12 01:34:33
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answer #3
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answered by ArchWired Braces Website 5
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Actually, loss of bone usually follows the loss of teeth, especialy when they are all extracted. It's called bone resorption.
And it can really be a problem for denture wearers when all the teeth are extracted at an early age. In severe cases the mandible (lower jaw) can become so thin, that it can easily fracture.
So maintain your teeth as long as you can!
2007-05-11 23:26:00
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answer #4
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answered by tooth_doc_dave 1
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Nothing happens to the bone as the roots of the tooth wrap around the jaw bone.
2007-05-11 23:23:19
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answer #5
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answered by Mark R 1
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No link, but basically the bones are not affected. The teeth are just missing, make it almost impossible to eat (Including chewing).
2007-05-11 23:20:48
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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Since you asked for a link, I made this photo for you. You can read the excellent answers above and then look at this for an x-ray showing resorption.
http://www1.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=153652335/PictureID=3183532363/a=75953750_75953750/t_=75953750
2007-05-12 01:56:45
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answer #7
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answered by Picture Taker 7
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HELLO,
HERE IS A LINK WHICH HAS SOME RADIOGRAPHS OF VARIOUS TEETH AND THEIR APPERANCE ON FILM.
OVERALL, THE BIGGEST AMOUNT OF CORTICAL BONE LOSS IS SEEN IN THE LOWER MANDIBLE.
2007-05-12 02:13:55
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answer #8
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answered by Dr. Albert, DDS, (USA) 7
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they are still there =go to Ask.com
2007-05-11 23:19:42
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answer #9
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answered by caffsans 7
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