Your dentist or oral surgeon may recommend socket preservation grafting after tooth extraction as a way to prevent teeth shifting, bone loss, and other concerns that may affect your oral health function and appearance. This review provides insights into who makes an ideal candidate for socket preservation grafting and why you should consider it after tooth extraction.
The best way to determine whether you are a good candidate for socket preservation is to discuss the treatment option with a dentist or an oral surgeon. However, understanding more about the purpose of socket preservation grafting, what it is used to treat, and potential risks that are involved can help you decide if it is worth pursuing.
Since teeth are secured by the jawbone and gums, there is unfilled space in the jawbone after tooth extraction. The purpose of socket preservation grafting is to preserve the socket that a natural tooth root once occupied. This is particularly important if the patient intends to replace the missing tooth with a dental implant, dental bridge, or traditional denture (complete or partial).
Otherwise, the patient may be required to go through a more extensive bone grafting procedure before dental implant placement, or the jaw bone and gums may begin to recede, making traditional dentures and dental bridges less comfortable and less attractive.
Dentists and oral surgeons often recommend socket preservation grafting after tooth extraction to ensure bone tissue loss in the jaw does not occur, to prevent gum recession, and to ensure teeth do not shift before an implant, bridge, or denture is placed to fill the extra space. Every patient who goes through a tooth extraction procedure or loses their teeth naturally or by way of a dental accident should consider socket preservation grafting to ensure concerns do not develop.
As is the case with any dental or medical procedure, there are some risks of socket preservation grafting. The procedure may increase the risk of an oral infection during the recovery process if the mouth is not kept clean (see below). Also, blood clots and nerve damage could occur, along with potential anesthesia concerns. However, the risks of any complications are very small and almost all have a successful treatment and recovery experience.
To ensure a healthy and more comfortable recovery, be sure to keep the mouth clean by brushing and using mouthwash as directed, along with limiting foods and drinks that are high in sugar. If any complications develop, let your dental professional know as soon as possible.
Here at our practice, we offer socket preservation grafting for patients who have recently received or are in need of tooth extraction. Feel free to contact us to arrange a time to meet with our friendly team, during which we can determine if you are an ideal candidate for this procedure.
Request an appointment here: https://spectrumsurgical.net or call Facial Spectrum at (816) 524-4334 for an appointment in our Lee's Summit office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
A gum graft from an oral surgeon can improve the appearance and health of your smile. Gum recession is a common oral health problem where the gums pull back from the teeth, making them look elongated. This is not just a cosmetic issue. Gum recession can make the tooth roots and underlying structures that support…
Corrective jaw surgery has helped many people function in a more effortless manner, and it is beneficial to those who suffer from a misaligned jaw.By understanding exactly what corrective jaw surgery is, you can determine whether you are a good candidate for the procedure.Corrective jaw surgery is able to treat a wide variety of issues.…
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that is done to rebuild bone loss or repair bone damage in the oral cavity. When a tooth is lost or removed from its socket, the alveolar bone supporting it starts to deteriorate, resulting in a gradual collapse of facial features. If this happens, a patient who opts for…
If you intend to have a removed tooth replaced in the future and one of your treatment choices is a dental implant, you may need to undergo a socket preservation graft from an oral surgeon. The bone graft will protect the tooth socket, preventing it from getting resorbed.A socket preservation graft is a dental operation…
A gum graft from an oral surgeon can improve the appearance and health of your smile. Gum recession is a common oral health problem where the gums pull back from the teeth, making them look elongated. This is not just a cosmetic issue. Gum recession can make the tooth roots and underlying structures that support…
Corrective jaw surgery has helped many people function in a more effortless manner, and it is beneficial to those who suffer from a misaligned jaw.By understanding exactly what corrective jaw surgery is, you can determine whether you are a good candidate for the procedure.Corrective jaw surgery is able to treat a wide variety of issues.…