Standard Symptoms of Hidden Jaw Infections
Jaw osteonecrosis, a severe bone disease affecting the jaws, including the maxilla and mandible, is a condition of overexposure of the mandibular bone or maxillary bone through lesions in the gingiva that fail to heal. Jaw osteonecrosis is associated with bisphosphonate therapy required by some cancer treatment regimens. Even though treatment options are available for the condition from hidden jaw infections in Ellicott city, surgical removal of the affected bone may become necessary for patients affected by jaw osteonecrosis.
When patients visit the dentist office near you to have their condition evaluated, the dentist examines the patient’s entire history and assesses the pre-existing systemic problems and possible sites of dental infections. It is why dentists request a whole medical history of patients whenever recommending tooth removal or any other invasive procedure, especially if the patient is considering bisphosphonate therapy.
How Does Jaw Osteonecrosis Occur?
Jaw osteonecrosis, also known as Avascular necrosis, is the death of the bone tissue due to the lack of blood supply. Jaw osteonecrosis leads to tiny breaks in the bone and collapse of the bone eventually.
Broken bones or dislocated joints can interrupt the flow of blood to a section of the bone. The long-term use of high-dose steroid medicines and excessive alcohol intake is also associated with avascular necrosis.
Jaw osteonecrosis can affect anyone, but this condition is most common among people between 30 and 50.
Standard Symptoms of Avascular Necrosis
In the early stages of avascular necrosis when patients don’t experience any symptoms. When the condition worsens, patients may experience pain only when they put weight on it. Patients may feel pain even when lying down.
The pain patients experience is either mild or severe and developing gradually. Pain from avascular necrosis can radiate from the jaw to other parts nearby.
Why Do Patients Develop Avascular Necrosis?
Patients may develop avascular necrosis when they have chronically infected cavities remaining in their jawbones even after tooth removal. The condition occurs when the lining of the socket isn’t correctly removed.
Between the tooth and the jawbone, a thin layer of connective tissue called periodontal ligament exists. The standard procedure after dental extractions is to scrape away the infected soft tissue at the end of the root. Unfortunately, most dentists do not remove the ligament or the bony socket, a potential spot to retain bacteria and toxins.
When the ligament is left unremoved and the healing process continues unchecked, the top layer of the socket heals over with a thin layer of bone with new gum tissue. The body does not recognize the tooth is no longer present as the ligament still remains in the socket. The socket does not fill with healthy and stable bone. The hole in the bone is not natural, and any bacteria or toxins residing within can stress the immune system of the body.
Jaw osteonecrosis is comfortably preventable if dentists perform some additional surgical procedure after completing dental extractions—the surgical procedure to remove the periodontal ligament and infected bone. The other surgical procedures help prevent jaw osteonecrosis and help in the healing process, assisting the patient to recover rapidly and comfortably.
Patients visiting the dentist near you are surprised to learn the professional even treats existing jaw osteonecrosis using a unique surgical procedure. The dental professional cleans any residual ligament and infected tissue cells stimulating bleeding in the socket to promote the standard healing process.
The surgical procedure for eliminating this hidden jaw infection uses natural disinfectants to eliminate residual viruses, fungus, and bacteria besides treating the area with a low-level laser. The technique stimulates the healing process by increasing the flow of blood to the site and reducing inflammation.
Can Patients Prevent Hidden Jaw Infections?
Whenever patients approach dentists for any procedure, whether extractions, root canals, or any other invasive process, they must discuss their entire health history with the dental professional. Patients must also provide information about any medications, supplements, herbs, and over-the-counter drugs.
Patients planning organ transplants or treatments with bisphosphonate must inform the dentist in advance to ensure their procedure is either completed immediately or postponed until after their treatment with the drug bisphosphonate. The information helps the dentist schedule the process accordingly to ensure patients can develop any complications after undergoing dental treatments they require.