Why Your Jawbone Shrinks After Tooth Loss

Tooth loss is often viewed as a cosmetic issue or a functional inconvenience. While these are valid concerns, there is a silent, biological process that begins the moment a tooth is removed: **Bone Resorption**.

At Dental Implants London, we see many patients who have worn dentures for years and are confused why their face shape has changed or why their dentures no longer fit. The answer lies in the biology of the jawbone. In this article, we explain why bone loss happens, its consequences, and how dental implants are the only way to stop it.

The 'Use It or Lose It' Principle

Your body is incredibly efficient. It does not maintain tissues that it thinks are unnecessary. Your alveolar bone (the part of the jaw that holds teeth) exists for one purpose: to support tooth roots.

When you chew, the roots of your teeth transfer substantial force (pressure) into the jawbone. This stimulation signals your body to send nutrients and maintain the density of that bone. It is similar to how exercise keeps muscles strong.

When a tooth is extracted, that stimulation stops instantly. Your body interprets this as 'this bone is no longer needed' and begins to break it down to reabsorb the calcium for use elsewhere in the body.

The Aesthetic Consequence: Facial Collapse

Bone loss happens rapidly in the first year after extraction (up to 25% loss in width) and continues slowly for life. As the bone shrinks:

• The distance between the nose and chin decreases (loss of vertical dimension).
• The lips lose support and curl inward, making them look thinner.
• Wrinkles form around the mouth ('marionette lines').
• The cheeks can look sunken.

This process, often called 'Facial Collapse', can make a person look 10-20 years older than they are.

How Implants Stop the Process

Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that preserves bone. Because the titanium implant fuses with the jawbone (osseointegration), it mimics the function of a natural root.

When you chew on an implant crown, the force is transmitted into the bone, stimulating it just like a natural tooth would. This signals the body to maintain the bone density, halting resorption and preserving your facial structure.

Don't let bone loss change your face. Whether you lost a tooth yesterday or ten years ago, we have a solution. Contact Dental Implants London to assess your bone health.