Socket Preservation

Preserving Your Jaw Bone after Extraction

Sometimes it’s necessary to remove teeth because of pain, infection, bone loss, or fracture of the tooth. The bone that holds the tooth in place (the socket) is often damaged by disease or infection resulting in deformity of the jaw after a tooth is extracted. In addition, when teeth are extracted, the surrounding bone and gums can shrink and recede very quickly, resulting in unsightly defects.

However, jaw… deformities from tooth removal can be prevented and repaired by a procedure called socket preservation. Socket preservation can greatly improve your smile’s appearance and increase your chances for successful dental implants for years to come.

Socket Preservation Treatments

Several techniques can be used to preserve the bone and minimize bone loss after an extraction. In one method, the tooth is removed and the socket is filled with bone or bone substitute. It is then covered with gum, artificial membrane, or tissue-stimulating proteins to encourage your body’s natural ability to repair the socket. With this method, the socket heals eliminating shrinkage and collapse of surrounding gum and facial tissues. The newly formed bone in the socket also provides a foundation for an implant to replace the tooth.