As bone resorption occurs, which statement is false?

The statement that bone resorption occurs from the buccal to palatal direction is incorrect because bone resorption typically happens in a pattern influenced by various factors, including pressure and mechanical load on the bone, not strictly from one side to another. In reality, bone resorption is a complex process that can occur in multiple directions, depending largely on the underlying health of the bone and the forces applied to it, rather than a set directional pattern.

The other statements accurately reflect the dynamics of bone resorption. A significant decrease in bone volume is indeed observed in the first year following the loss of teeth or after tooth extraction, primarily due to the lack of mechanical stimulation that bone requires to maintain its volume. Bone width is often lost before height because resorption tends to occur more significantly on the outer surface of the alveolar ridge, resulting in a reduction in width that is readily observed in clinical practice. Lastly, there is evidence that prolonged use of removable prostheses can accelerate ridge resorption; this occurs due to the lack of adequate stimulation that fixed structures or natural teeth would normally provide to the bone, leading to increased resorption over time. These aspects highlight how changes in the oral environment can significantly impact bone health.