The dentist told about the change in the oval of the face after tooth extraction

The loss of a chewing tooth triggers not only dental, but also noticeable aesthetic changes that affect the entire lower face. Olga Egorova, an orthodontist at the Atribyut clinic, told Izvestia about this on May 6.

According to her, after tooth extraction, the bone in the area of the defect gradually ceases to receive the usual load and begins to decrease in volume. The first changes can be noticeable after two to three weeks, and external manifestations after two to three months. During the first year, the volume of bone tissue can decrease by more than a quarter, after which the process continues, but more slowly.

"The most pronounced changes occur in the first year after removal. Then the process of atrophy slows down, but does not stop completely," says Egorova.

This loss of support is reflected in the soft tissues of the face: the support of the cheeks decreases, a depression may form in the area of the missing tooth, nasolabial folds and asymmetry of the lower third of the face increase. At the same time, the adjacent teeth begin to shift, and the load on the chewing muscles is redistributed.

The expert emphasizes that there is no universal "point of no return" — the rate of change depends on age, bone density and the general condition of the oral cavity. However, the longer the tooth is missing, the more difficult the subsequent recovery.

Separately, the dentist drew attention to the common mistake of patients who try to compensate for changes in appearance through cosmetic procedures.

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The most expensive specialist services were in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

"Fillers and SMAS lifting work with soft tissues, but they do not eliminate the main cause - loss of bone and dental support. As a result, the effect is temporary and partial," explains Olga Egorova.

According to her, changes in the face do not begin with the skin, but with deep structures: a decrease in bone volume leads to a change in bite, displacement of teeth and a redistribution of the load on the muscles. This is reflected in the oval of the face and the symmetry.

You can suspect the beginning of the process by feeling a change in chewing function, facial asymmetry, a sunken cheek, or the appearance of new folds in the lower third of the face.

Recovery tactics depend on how much time has passed since tooth extraction. In the early stages, sparing methods are possible — from immediate implantation to tooth transplantation. If a tooth is missing for a long time, more complex treatment is often required, including bone grafting and orthodontic training.

"The earlier the chewing tooth is restored, the higher the chance to preserve the volume of tissues and simplify treatment. With a long delay, recovery is possible, but it becomes more gradual and technically difficult," the expert concluded.

Dentist Marina Kolesnichenko said on April 27 that brushing your teeth more than twice a day is not recommended. According to the expert, it is better to simply rinse your mouth with water after eating.: It helps to reduce acidity, stimulates saliva production and promotes natural cleansing of the oral cavity.