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Glossary

Resorption

Alternate terms: Bone resorption.

A process by which bone dissolves away in response to pressure placed on the bone. Because chewing forces apply pressure to edentulous areas, resorption is frequently observed when a patient loses a tooth and does not replace it. It is also a common occurrence on the edentulous ridges of a denture-wearer.
Learn more: Diagnoses › Edentulism

Panoramic X-ray image of a severely resorbed (atrophic) mandible

This patient has lost all her teeth and subsequently experienced severe "disuse atrophy" (through bone resorption) of the jaw bones. The solid white line (OBL) indicates the approximate position of the patient's original bone level. The dashed line indicates her current bone level.

The four white spheres are radiographic markers where dental implants are being planned. Because of severe bone resorption, the patient's mandible has become delicate and is at risk for fracturing (see arrow).