Socket Preservation
Preserving Your Jaw Bone after Extraction
Removal of teeth is sometimes necessary because of pain, infection, bone loss, or due to a fracture in the tooth. The bone that holds the tooth in place (the socket) is often damaged by disease and/or infection, resulting in a deformity of the jaw after the tooth is extracted. In addition, when teeth are extracted the surrounding bone and gums can shrink and recede very quickly, resulting in defects and a collapse of the lips and cheeks.
These jaw defects can create major problems in performing restorative dentistry whether your treatment involves dental implant, bridges, or dentures. Jaw deformities from tooth removal can be prevented by a procedure called socket preservation. Socket preservation at the time of tooth removal can greatly improve your chances for successful dental implants.
During a socket preservation procedure, the tooth is removed and the remaining hole or “socket” is filled with bone or bone subtitle . It is then covered with gum, artificial membrane or tissue, and sutured. This encourages your body’s natural ability to repair the socket and preserve the remaining bone surrounding the extraction site . With this method, the socket heals, eliminating shrinkage and collapse of the surrounding bone and gum tissues. The newly formed bone in the socket also provides a foundation for an implant to replace the tooth. If your dentist has recommended tooth removal, be sure to ask if socket preservation is necessary. This is particularly important if you are planning on replacing the tooth with an implant.
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