Alveolar Bone
Pronunciation: al-VEE-oh-lar
The specialized bone of the jaw that forms and supports the tooth sockets, remodelling in response to tooth presence and occlusal forces.
Full Definition
Alveolar bone is the portion of the maxilla and mandible that surrounds and anchors the roots of teeth within their sockets (alveoli). It is composed of the alveolar bone proper (the cribriform plate lining the socket), supported by cancellous and cortical bone. A critical editorial consideration in dental research is that alveolar bone is tooth-dependent: it forms in response to tooth eruption and undergoes resorption following tooth extraction, a process relevant to implantology, orthodontics, and periodontal research. The term is adjectival and should not be shortened to 'alveolar' as a standalone noun when modifying bone. In imaging studies, alveolar bone levels measured radiographically are an important outcome variable.
Usage
Usage note: Always use as a compound modifier: 'alveolar bone,' not 'alveolar' alone as a noun when referring to bone tissue. Do not confuse with 'alveolus' in the pulmonary sense when editing interdisciplinary manuscripts.
In Context
- "Radiographic measurements confirmed a mean alveolar bone loss of 2.3 mm over the 12-month observation period." — Longitudinal periodontal study, results
- "Following extraction, progressive alveolar bone resorption was documented in all edentulous sites." — Implant pre-surgical planning study