Preserve Your Bone with Ridge Preservation

A bone graft is often a key component of dental implant placement.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A TOOTH IS REMOVED?

There is a special type of bone surrounding your teeth that exists solely to support your teeth. When a tooth is lost for whatever reason, the body's natural response is to begin resorbing or getting rid of the bone in the area because it is no longer needed to hold the tooth in place.

This "melting away" of bone occurs in two dimensions. The first is loss of horizontal width caused by the collapse of the bone surrounding the socket. This makes the remaining ridge narrower than when the tooth was present. The second is a loss of vertical height. This makes the remaining bone less “tall.” This process is faster in areas where you wear a partial or complete denture.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO PRESERVE THE BONE?

You may choose to replace your missing teeth with dental implants. These are root-shaped supports that hold your replacement teeth. The more bone support you have, the stronger the implant replacements will be. In some cases, the bone can degenerate to a point where implants can no longer be placed without having more complex bone grafting procedures to create the necessary support. Obviously, preventing bone loss is much easier than rebuilding the bone later.

HOW CAN THE BONE BE PRESERVED?

To minimize the rapid shrinking of bone, a bone graft can be placed in the socket at the time of tooth removal. A ridge preservation bone graft can often prevent the need for major bone grafting later on.

Although the bone created by socket grafting supports and preserves the socket, it will not do so indefinitely. Placing dental implants four to twelve months after the extraction and socket grafting will provide the best long-lasting support for preserving your jawbone and allow you to function as before. Otherwise the graft may “melt away” or resorb over time.

Replace Your Missing Teeth with Dental Implants

Dental implants are the most realistic replacement after your natural tooth. We create personalized plans for all of our patients. Call us today or schedule your appointment online!

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Preserve Your Bone with Ridge Preservation

A bone graft is often a key component of dental implant placement.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A TOOTH IS REMOVED?

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO PRESERVE THE BONE?

HOW CAN THE BONE BE PRESERVED?

Replace Your Missing Teeth with Dental Implants

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