Dentoword : Today's Word is 'Alveolar Bone'

 

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Learn your dental terms with detailed explanation

 
Today's word is "Alveolar Bone"

Alveolar Bone :

  'The Basement of Our Teeth'

Yesterday, we learned about the periodontal ligament. This periodontal ligament supports the tooth, embedding its fibers in the adjacent alveolar bone and the cementum of the tooth. Therefore, the alveolar bone is also part of the tooth's supportive system. If there is enough high-quality alveolar bone, the teeth can stabilize in the oral cavity. Thus, it functions as a foundation for the teeth.

Definition :

Alveolar bone is a part of the jaw bone (maxilla & mandible) that forms & supports the sockets of the teeth.

Classification of Alveolar Bone :

1. Alveolar bone proper :
It forms the inner wall of the socket. It is made up of lamellated & bundle bone .

2. Supporting alveolar bone :
It consists of cortical plates and spongy bone.

Composition of Alveolar Bone :

1. Bone cells :

• Osteoblast , 
• Osteoclast, 
• Osteocyte .

2. Intercellular Material :

• Inorganic substances - 60% : Mainly consists of hydroxyapatite with carbonate content
• Organic substance - 25% : Mainly consists of collagen & non-collagenous proteins.

Functions of Alveolar Bone :

1. Support : The alveolar bone houses the roots of the teeth. It supports the roots of the teeth in the alveoli, which is achieved by the insertion of Sharpey's fibers into the alveolar bone proper.

2. Protection :
It protects developing permanent teeth,while supporting primary teeth.

3. Regeneration :
The alveolar bone can remodel and regenerate in response to changes in the oral environment, such as tooth loss or orthodontic treatment.

4. Helps to absorb & distribute occlusal  forces generated during tooth contact .

5. Supplies vessels to the periodontal ligament.

Clinical significance :

The health of the alveolar bone is crucial in various dental conditions and treatments:

• Periodontitis: In this disease, bone loss occurs, affecting tooth stability.

• Orthodontics: Tooth movement relies on the remodeling and adapting capacity of the bone.

• Dental Implants: Successful implant treatment depends on the good quality and quantity of bone.

• Teeth Extraction: The difficulty level of extraction can be determined based on the level of the bone surrounding the tooth to be extracted.

Personal Insight :

During my college periodontology posting, I observed how important alveolar bone health is in various dental treatments. Many patients came to the hospital too late, and by that time, there was insufficient bone remaining around the tooth. As a result, we, as dentists, had no other option but extraction. If patients came a little earlier, when the periodontal disease was in its initial stage, the scenario would be different. At that point, there would be enough bone to support the tooth, and we could save it through various periodontal therapies, restricting further bone loss. Most importantly, we could improve the patient's quality of life by saving the tooth.

Practical Tips and Recommendations :

• Good oral hygiene
• Regular dental check-ups
• Maintain a balanced diet
• Treat any disorder, such as diabetes, vitamin D deficiency, calcium deficiency, osteoporosis in women after menopause, and any bone disorder, as early as possible because these conditions affect the alveolar bone.

Multimedia content:

Watch This Video: Understanding the Alveolar Bone :

Conclusion :

The alveolar bone works like a foundation for our teeth, supporting and anchoring them in place during function. Understanding and caring for this strong foundation is key to maintaining overall oral health and increasing the longevity of our teeth. So take care of your alveolar bone and protect your teeth from instability.

Request to Readers:

Thank you for reading today's post! If you liked my content or have any suggestions for improvement, please let me know by giving feedback through the comment section.

References :

Orban's Oral Histology & embryology , 15th edition , G S Kumar,Elsevier.