Socket Grafting Procedure

Maintain Your Jaw Bone after Extraction

Tooth extraction is sometimes necessary because of pain, infection, periodontal disease, 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, 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 prevented and repaired by a grafting procedure called socket preservation. Socket preservation can greatly improve your smile’s appearance and increase your chances for successful dental implants.

When a tooth is removed, an empty space (socket) remains and should be grafted if there is any future plan of a dental implant. This graft will help to retain some of your natural bone, making it easier to place an implant in the future. When a graft is placed in the socket, it is a granular/particulate graft which is placed in the socket and covered with gum, artificial membrane, or tissue, which encourages your body’s natural ability to repair the socket. In some situations, it may be possible to place an implant simultaneously with tooth extraction. If your dentist has recommended tooth removal, be sure to ask if socket preservation is necessary and if a dental implant would be a good treatment option.