---
title: "What Is Bone loss? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "Bone loss is the shrinking of the jawbone that supports the teeth, which can happen with gum disease, after a tooth is lost, or with other conditions."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/bone-loss
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Gum Care

# Bone loss

Bone loss is the shrinking of the jawbone that supports the teeth, which can happen with gum disease, after a tooth is lost, or with other conditions.

The bone in the jaw holds your teeth in place. Gum disease can destroy this bone when infection spreads below the gum line. NIDCR says that an X-ray can show if there is any bone loss as a result of gum disease. Bone can also shrink where a tooth is missing, because the jaw is no longer being used there. The ADA notes that bone loss can occur around a missing tooth. Bone loss can make teeth loose and can limit options for replacing teeth. Dentists find it with X-rays and gum measurements. See [periodontitis](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/periodontitis) and [alveolar bone](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/alveolar-bone). A [bone graft](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/bone-grafting) is one way to rebuild lost bone. See our [periodontal care](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/periodontal-care) page.

[Town Center Dental can helpPeriodontal Care](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/periodontal-care)

## Related terms

-   [Periodontitis](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/periodontitis)
-   [Alveolar bone](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/alveolar-bone)
-   [Bone grafting](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/bone-grafting)
-   [Bone density](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/bone-density)
-   [Periodontal pocket](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/periodontal-pocket)

## Sources

1.  [NIDCR: Periodontal (Gum) Disease](https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/gum-disease)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)