Alveolar Process and Tooth Health
Your alveolar process is a vital part of your anatomy for your mouth’s health and the support of your teeth. According to the Archives of Oral Biology, they have the unique ability to respond to the formation of teeth that erupt from your gums.
These important structures form around the teeth and the periodontal ligament (PDL), growing in stride with the number of teeth that have erupted. While many assume this comes to an end after your adult teeth are finished coming in, your teeth actually continue to migrate and erupt throughout your life.
Because your alveolar process is so adaptive, part of it reabsorbs following a tooth extraction, as it no longer has a structure to support it. For this reason, it’s vital to seek care from a dental professional following tooth loss or extraction to prevent lasting changes to your mouth. They may recommend implants to mitigate the changes caused by the absence of your tooth. Healthy bone density in your alveolar process is critical to support oral implants.
To ensure that your alveolar process stays in top condition, it’s important to avoid gum disease with a proper oral care routine. Advanced gum disease can cause lasting damage to your bone and disrupt its proper functioning.
You’ve made a great decision to read up on this interesting and unique support structure. Your alveolar process is a testament to the incredible adaptability and responsiveness of your body. You now have a great understanding of where it is, what it does, and what can go wrong.