Alveolar bone

Question 1

Outline

Answer 1

maxilla + mandible contain a horseshoe-shaped ridge of bone called the alveolar process

Question 2

The alveolar process

Answer 2

the teeth form during the growth of the foetus + then the child + from where they erupt into the mouth at various ages. The properties:

Question 3

1

Answer 3

It is a specialised bone found only in the jaws

Question 4

2

Answer 4

its outer layer is made of hard, compact bone the outer surface of which is called the lamina dura

Question 5

3

Answer 5

the inner layer is called cancellous bone + is sponge-like in appearance, to allow passage of various nerves + blood vessels to supply the jaws, teeth + surrounding oral soft tissues

Question 6

4

Answer 6

The sole purpose of alveolar bone is to support the teeth + it is gradually lost when a tooth is extracted as the bone slowly resorbs away

Question 7

5

Answer 7

The teeth lie within their individual sockets in the alveolar bone, each one being lined by lamina dura which shows on radiographs as a continuous white line - its absence indicates the presence of dental disease

Question 8

6

Answer 8

the outer surface of the alveolar bone is covered in specialised alveolar mucosa, which forms the gingiva (gums) around the necks of the teeth

Question 9

7

Answer 9

destruction of the alveolar bone occurs in periodontal disease