Socket Preservation Procedure
Preserving Your Jaw Bone after Extraction
The bone in which the teeth reside is called the alveolar ridge. When a tooth is lost, a socket where the tooth was held remains in its place. If not preserved, this socket will collapse over time creating loss of bone and a defect in the ridge area. Alveolar Ridge (Socket) Preservation Grafting is a technique used to prevent this collapse and create bone that will hold an implant.
Why Would I Need Alveolar Ridge (Socket) Preservation Grafting?
- The bone that supports the tooth to be extracted is often damaged by disease or infection, usually the same issue that is causing the tooth to be lost. This bone damage results in a defect which could prevent successful placement of a dental implant.
- After teeth are extracted (especially the front teeth), the surrounding bone can shrink very rapidly. This loss of supporting bone could prevent successful placement of a dental implant.
How Is Alveolar Ridge (Socket) Preservation Done?
In Alveolar Ridge (Socket) Preservation Grafting, bone (autograft, allograft, or xenograft bone) is placed in the extraction socket immediately after the tooth is removed. As the area heals, the body uses this new bone to preserve the width and height of the bone where the tooth used to sit. Thus, Alveolar Ridge (Socket) Preservation Grafting can help prevent or lessen natural bone loss after tooth extraction.
If you must lose a tooth, and you plan to replace that tooth with a dental implant and crown, Dr. Burns will strongly recommend an Alveolar Ridge (Socket) Preservation procedure immediately following tooth extraction.
