As you well know, the smile is usually the letter of introduction of any person in a first encounter with others, being essential to have a good and respective care to avoid any disease that may arise. In this sense, we want to dedicate today’s post to talk about alveolar atrophy. This occurs when a person has difficulty building or developing a complete denture due to extreme bone loss.
In the end, when serious dental pathologies occur, the main problem is always in the field of health. However, it tends to extend to both the physical and personal planes, damaging not only appearance, but also self-esteem.
If you want to know more about alveolar atrophy, keep reading!
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What Is Known As Alveolar Atrophy?
Alveolar atrophy is considered one of the most disabling oral conditions, as it tends to vary depending on its degree of complexity. In fact, it is classified as chronic, progressive, cumulative and irreversible.
It usually arises in the adulthood of a person, where teeth are still present and in the development phase. Although it can also occur in those who have a prosthetic treatment.
Its process of onset is accelerated when extractions are issued, and it is delayed again once the treatment is finished.
How Is Alveolar Atrophy Diagnosed?
The dentist in charge of the case will be able to detect this pathology through a fairly precise study, determining if there is enough bone to install and stabilize the implant in a correct position at the prosthetic level.
In this sense, it is essential that, before any placement of an implant, it is done without the need for incisions and without opening the gingival area, but, above all, without the need for stitches.
However, the key to the success of any dental treatment is prevention. Without a doubt, the best way to do this is by going to appointments and scheduled consultations without fail. In these you will undergo annual cleaning methods, but it is vitally important to carry out oral care on a daily basis.
What Complications Does Alveolar Atrophy Cause?
This dental disease alters the maxillo-mandibular interrelationships and decreases the proportion of bone in the denture area and the depth of the groove. In addition, patients tend to experience excessive mobility of muco-supported prostheses, persistent ulcerations and neuralgia.
The installation of implants requires high-precision surgeries, such as nerve deviations or grafts to increase the alveolar ridge. However, the most relevant functional compromise is usually in the jaw.
How does alveolar atrophy occur?
Alveolar atrophy is considered to be of multifactorial etiology, because there are several components involved. These include:
- Pre-existing or critically ill periodontal pathology.
- Systemic and endocrine disorders.
- Dietary and anatomical factors, among others.
- Facial morphology.
- Facial malformations.
- Trauma.
- Aggressive tumors.
- Cysts or congenital anomalies.
- Serious dental infections.
- Extractions not due.
The essential function of every good dentist is to keep the mouth of their patients healthy for as long as possible, diagnosing in time possible injuries or irrecoverable conditions that a tooth may suffer.
In this way, it will be able to provide the corresponding treatments according to the needs and the degree of affection of each particular case, taking into account any necessary measures that can prevent, or minimize, alveolar atrophy.
How Is Alveolar Atrophy Solved?
Currently, there are several techniques that allow oral rehabilitation. These procedures should be carried out by a maxillofacial surgeon, with extensive knowledge of facial anatomy.
In the first place, it will be necessary to carry out a previous diagnosis in a personalized way. This should focus on accurately evaluating and measuring the quantity and quality of the remaining bone.
Among the different techniques are:
- CAD/CAM design
The design of the prosthetic pieces will serve to ensure the patient totally natural, functional and highly aesthetic results.
- 3D CT scan
This whole process will require careful computer-based surgical planning, which can approach the treatment in a simpler and more optimal way.
- All-on-4
It allows to take full advantage of each of the surfaces of the oral cavity, with sufficient density and bone quality. The objective is to orally rehabilitate an entire arch and return to the patient a complete and functional denture.
A titanium bar will be placed on the implants, providing greater stability to them and serving as the basis for the future installation of a complete fixed prosthesis.
- Zygomatic implants
In the absence of bone surfaces, these implants, of a longer length, are anchored in the zygomatic process, at the height of the cheekbone, and allows to offer a perfect and precise anchorage.
In this case, they are placed in the pterygoid process, located next to the wisdom tooth. However, the implants are positioned at a 75º orientation.
- Bone grafts
When it is not possible to resort to other advanced implantology solutions to take advantage of the patient’s remaining bone, the solution is to generate more quality bone in which to anchor the implants.
The new bone to be grafted can be a bone from the patient himself or one made with biocompatible materials. However, the choice of one or the other will be in the hands of the maxillofacial surgeon or doctor in charge of the diagnosis.
Once grafted, a previously stipulated time is waited for the new material to osseointegrate, resulting in a good quality bone on which to perform a conventional implantology treatment.
Solves Alveolar Atrophy At The Ruiz De Gopegui Dental Clinic
At the Ruiz de Gopegui Dental Clinic we have the best professionals and specialists in the various areas of dentistry, such as implantology, maxillofacial surgeons, pediatric dentists, periodontists, among others.
We will attend you in a personalized way, providing the best treatments, techniques and / or methods of the latest technological and avant-garde generation to treat all types of oral problems, such as alveolar atrophy.
The care of your oral health, your tranquility and satisfaction, is our priority: request your first free appointment at the Dental Clinic in Madrid. We are waiting for you.