South Sound Oral Surgery

Preserving Your Jaw Bone after Extraction

Removal of teeth is sometimes necessary because of pain, infection, decay, bone loss, or due to a fracture in the teeth. The bone that holds the teeth in place (the socket) is often damaged by disease and/or infection, resulting in a deformity of the jaw after the teeth are extracted. In addition, when teeth are extracted the surrounding bone and gums can shrink and recede very quickly, resulting in unsightly 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 implants, bridges, or dentures. Jaw deformities from tooth removal can be limited, or in some cases prevented, and repaired by a procedure called socket, or ridge, preservation. Socket, or ridge, preservation can greatly improve your smile’s appearance and increase your chances for successful dental implants.

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 tissue, artificial membranes, or even platelet rich fibrin (PRF), which encourages your body’s natural ability to repair the socket. With this method, the socket heals, reducing the risk of shrinkage and collapse of the surrounding gum and facial 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 and/or recommended. This is particularly important if you are planning on replacing the front teeth with dental implants.