alveolar resorption

9.2

Loss of the bone around the tooth sockets after tooth loss or disease

noun
/ælˈviːələr rɪˈzɔːrpʃən/

Specialized

: resorción alveolar

Periodontal disease often leads to alveolar resorption if left untreated.

Examples

After tooth extraction, alveolar resorption can make it difficult to fit dental implants.
Dentists monitor patients for signs of alveolar resorption during routine check-ups.
The dentist explained that alveolar resorption can lead to further dental issues.
After losing a tooth, alveolar resorption may occur rapidly.
After losing a tooth, alveolar resorption can occur, leading to potential complications with dental implants.
Periodontal disease can cause alveolar resorption, resulting in the loss of bone structure around teeth.
Dentists often evaluate patients for signs of alveolar resorption to address dental concerns early.

Synonyms

osteolysis

vsalveolar resorption

Specialized

1 9.9

Loss of bone tissue caused by disease, infection, or poor blood flow

is limited to loss of bone around tooth sockets

resorption

vsalveolar resorption

Specialized

1 9.6

The body breaks down and absorbs parts of its own tissue

focuses on loss of bone near tooth sockets rather than any body structure

Surface Forms

alveolar resorption singular

alveolar resorptions plural

Morphology

alveolar + resorption

The term directly combines 'alveolar' (relating to the jaw/tooth sockets) and 'resorption' (the process of tissue or bone being broken down), so the overall meaning — loss/breakdown of bone around the tooth sockets — is compositionally predictable. Although medical/technical, the parts transparently yield the MWE's sense for a learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

The noun alveolar resorption creates a simple picture: the bone around a tooth socket is slowly 'eaten away'. Alveolar refers to the tooth socket and resorption means the bone is 'lost', so the phrase describes the bone around the teeth breaking down.