What happens to alveolar bone when teeth are extracted?

When teeth are extracted, the surrounding alveolar bone undergoes significant changes due to the loss of the tooth roots that previously stimulated the bone. This loss leads to a process known as resorption. Resorption occurs because the mechanical load that the teeth placed on the bone is absent, resulting in a decrease in bone density and volume over time.

The periodontal ligament and the forces exerted by teeth during activities like chewing maintain the bone through a dynamic process of remodeling. With tooth extraction, the stimulus for this remodeling is eliminated, prompting the body to gradually reabsorb the alveolar bone, which can lead to the loss of the bone's structural integrity and height, making it critical to consider bone preservation strategies in clinical settings. Therefore, the correct answer reflects the biological response of alveolar bone to tooth loss, highlighting the importance of understanding this phenomenon in periodontal practice.