RADIOGRAPHIC CHANGES AFTER TOOTH LOSS

Cristina Cotea, Doriana Agop-Forna, Alina- Elena Jehac, Raluca Dragomir, Ovidiu Ștefănescu, Norina Forna, Oana Țănculescu

DOI : 10.62610/RJOR.2026.3.18.12

ABSTRACT

Background Tooth loss initiates alveolar ridge remodelling and may allow displacement of adjacent teeth and the antagonist, with potential effects on prosthetic rehabilitation.

Objective To present the findings of the original radiographic series and interpret them in relation to recent literature.

Material and method The original study included 19 patients, 13 women and 6 men, with a mean age of approximately 24 years. Radiographs were obtained before extraction and after a mean interval of 6.9 months. The narrative update examined meta-analyses and clinical studies published in 2021-2025 on ridge remodelling, tooth migration, overeruption and alveolar ridge preservation.

Results The original series found no statistically significant mean differences for the four reported measurements, but described ridge reduction and differences between molar and premolar regions. Recent evidence confirms mean horizontal reduction of approximately 2.5-3.6 mm and vertical reduction of approximately 0.9-1.7 mm, depending on tooth type and measurement method. Alveolar ridge preservation attenuates dimensional loss without eliminating it.

Conclusion The original findings are biologically plausible, but the small sample and non-standardised imaging preclude precise estimation of the effect. Rehabilitation planning should be individualised and should begin at the time of extraction.