Socket Preservations after a Tooth is Removed
All of our teeth are held in our jaw with their roots. When a tooth is removed (extracted) from the mouth, the tooth creates an opening. The bone is stimulated by the tooth and when it is removed the bone begins to collapse and shrink, losing its height and width. If there is too much bone loss there will not be enough bone structure to place an implant in the future. The great thing is we can prevent this with socket preservation.
Once the tooth is removed the dentist will place the bone material in the open socket and suture on top. Your dentist may also place a membrane on top of the bone graft. This way height and width are preserved to give a good foundation for future tooth restorations. After a bone graft, the bone will begin to regenerate, you may need to wait 3-6 months before a dental implant is placed.
Socket preservation can recreate a healthy jaw bone, create a solid anchor for a dental implant, and form a great foundation for your gums.