Alveolar process of jaw

Parts of the jaws on which the teeth are placed are called alveolar. They consist of bone tissue (from its compact and spongy substance). They contain holes in which the rudiments of the teeth are born. Over time they grow. Develops and bone tissue around, so that the teeth have additional support. This zone of the jaw is called the alveolar process.

If we consider the segment by segments, then for each tooth it is possible to distinguish a lunochka in which it is located, and bone formations around with mucous membranes. Feeding vessels, nerves and fiber bundles of connective tissue are suitable in the well.

Alveolus

What is a hole for a tooth? This is a deepening in the bone tissue of the jaws, forming to the birth. The difference in the teeth on the lower and upper jaw is practically not noticeable. More they differ in purpose: incisors, fangs, molars. Different groups perceive an unequal load when chewing food.

The anterior alveolar processes of the jaws are thinner, and from the sides (places for chewing) they are thicker and more powerful. The tooth holes differ in shape. They may have partitions that are slightly deeper than the lateral lintels. This division is associated with the different structure of the roots of the teeth. Some of them can be kept on one trunk, and they can have two or three.

Alveola exactly repeats the size and shape of the tooth. Rather, it grows in it, increases in size, changes the direction of the root canals. The bony tissue of the alveolar processes, surrounding each tooth, adjusting to it, grows in the same rhythm. If it does not fit snugly, then very soon the incisors and molars that take the greatest load will start to stagger and fall out.

Alveolar processes

Normally, these areas of bone tissue around the teeth develop in every person during the course of growing up. However, with some genetic disorders, the alveolar process may not grow.

One such case is a pathology in which the dental germs are not formed at all in the process of embryonic development. Such situations are rare. Naturally, the teeth do not grow. The portion of the jawbone that would normally become a site for alveolar processes does not develop. Actually, the border between these entities under normal development is almost lost. The bones of the jaw and process actually coalesce.

From this we can conclude that the process of their formation is directly related to the presence of teeth. Moreover, when they fall out or remove, the bone tissue in this place gradually loses its properties. It softens, turning into a gelatinous body, decreases in volume, reaching the edges of the bone tissue of the jaw.

Features

The alveolar process of the upper jaw consists of the inner (lingual) and outer (labial or buccal) walls. Between them is a spongy substance, in composition and properties close to the bone tissue. The jaw bones are different. From above they are formed from two intergrown halves. The jumper from the connective tissue passes in the middle.

In terminology, one can also find the term "alveolar part". In this case, we mean an outgrowth on the lower jaw. Its bone is not paired, it does not have a joint in the middle. But apart from this, the processes are not much different in structure. Below, also, the lingual, labial and buccal walls are distinguished.

It can be noted that the alveolar process of the lower jaw is less prone to fractures. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that in most people the upper teeth cover the lower teeth and the first take a traumatic load. On the other hand, the walls of the anterior processes are slightly longer and thinner on top. In addition, the dense compact substance of the tissue in this place is more permeated with pores for carrying blood vessels and nerve endings. Because it is less dense and durable.

Problems: diagnostics

Teeth undergo changes in the course of a person's life. Not only do they become smaller, so their mobility also increases. Bone tissue around them slowly degrades (resorption). The part that perceives loads is more subject to this. With fractures to determine the extent of damage, the alveolar processes of the jaws palpate without anesthesia is often not possible. These areas are densely permeated with a network of nerve endings, so they are painful.

Such areas, as well as foci of age-related destruction (destruction), sclerotic changes (replacement of bone connective tissue) and manifestations of osteomyelitis are diagnosed by X-ray diffraction in various projections. In some cases (tumors), MRI is prescribed, studies of maxillary sinuses using a contrast medium. Comprehensively diagnosed clearly expressed problems of growth and development of the jaws, as well as their processes.

Atrophy

The processes of the jaws are bone formations to support the teeth in the holes. If they drop out, the need for the appendages disappears. There is nothing more to support, spongy substance, without feeling loads, is destroyed. With anodontia (genetic pathology of the absence of teeth rudiments from birth), the alveolar processes do not develop, although the jaws form.

Atrophic processes occur with individual characteristics. In some, the height decreases more quickly, others slower. Atrophy of the alveolar process on the upper jaw results in the formation of an almost flat palate. From below, this leads to a noticeable bulging of the chin. The jaws are joined more and without a prosthetics acquire a characteristic "senile" appearance.

Atrophy can also be caused by inflammatory processes. The greatest danger is parodontitis, osteoporosis, osteomyelitis. Neck caries also causes dystrophy of the tissues. It can cause atrophy and periodontitis. Despite the apparent simplicity of this disease, in the absence of response, trophic mucosa and outgrowths are broken, interdental pockets appear, the neck of the tooth is exposed, it begins to loosen and falls out.

Cleft of alveolar process

This pathology appears at the stage of embryonic development. At the age of about two months after conception, the skull bones are formed. By birth, they close and fit tightly to each other. On the surface of the anterior part of the jaw there is only a small depression (canine fossa).

The confluence of various factors (heredity, drug effects, pesticides, alcoholism, smoking during pregnancy) can cause a situation where the paired bones of the sky do not unite and do not coalesce, a cleft (wolf mouth) is formed. It can be localized on a soft or hard sky, bones of the jaw, spread to the lip (hare lip). Distinguish complete or partial non-growth, lateral or median.

The alveolar process of the upper jaw with the cleft is, as a rule, the continuation of the unbroken bones of the upper palate. Separately, this pathology is rare. On the lower jaw and its alveolar part, the cleft is almost never found.

Fracture

Injury of the jaw often ends with a knocked out tooth. The causes may be mechanical injuries, unsuccessful falls, fists or massive objects. If the area of exposure is greater than the area of one tooth, a fracture of the alveolar process is possible. The crack often has an arcuate shape.

Allocate a complete, partial and fragmentation fracture. By localization, it can affect the roots of the teeth, fall on their necks or be located above the zone of the alveolar processes - along the jawbone. The prognosis for natural bone tissue fusion is complex and is given depending on the severity of the condition and localization. Fragments with injuries in the root area often do not stick.

In addition to the pain and swelling of the affected area, its symptoms can be: bite violation, distortion of speech, difficulty in chewing. If there is an open wound and the blood has a foamy structure, it is also assumed that the walls of the maxillary sinuses are crushed.

Plasticity of the alveolar process

Separate the correction of conditions for jaw pathologies of an innate nature, plasticity in fractures and the build-up of bone tissue for prosthetics. Absence of a tooth over a long period leads to atrophy of the bone tissue of the site. Its thickness may not be sufficient when installing the fitting for mounting the insertion tooth. When drilling, perforation in the region of the maxillary sinuses is possible. To prevent this from happening, spend plastic. Alveolar process can be increased by making a lining on the surface of the jawbone, or using its dissection and filling with biomaterial.

Fixation of fragments in fractures is usually performed with the help of teeth and tires that are put on the teeth. Fixation through through holes in the bone can be used with capron ligature. Contour plastic in the correction of embryonic development defects consists in closing the opening by moving adjacent tissues to the desired position and using implants. The operation should be carried out as early as possible, so that the child has time to develop the speech device.