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Socket Preservation – Everything You Need to Know

Article was medically reviewed by Dr.Marek Salka (6th March 2019)

Are you planning to do dental implants in the future? Are some of your teeth in poor condition and your dentist recommended tooth extraction? Then take a few minutes to read about the dental treatment that may save you money and time at the end of the day.

We know that tooth extraction is not a really pleasant thing. Many people all around the world really fear this dental treatment, so you are definitely not alone. Moreover, this dental treatment may leave behind a hole in the place where the tooth was. This place is very sensitive after the extraction.

Socket preservation is done after the tooth extraction in order to protect the socket. In the following text, we would like to answer all the questions you may have connected to socket preservation.

Learn more about our patient Alena and her experience with dental implants.

What Is Socket Preservation?

It is a natural process, when the bone which supported the tooth before, will be reabsorbed by the body, after the tooth extraction. When this bone loses its purpose it fades away, and gaps between the teeth may start to form.

To avoid this situation, a bone graft material is placed into this socket. There are different types of bone graft – it depends on the material used by the treatment. It can be a synthetic material, bone from your own body, a donor or an animal.

Source: Bioscaffold

How does the process look like?

Warning – the socket preservation should be performed at the same time as the tooth extraction itself! After the bone graft procedure, the dentist usually covers the socket with a collagen membrane and then sutures the opening to keep it closed.

Unfortunately, not all the dentists offer the socket preservation treatment, because some of them don’t perceive it as something necessary for the patient.

Why do I need it?

On one hand, this dental treatment is to improve the appearance of the remaining tooth and gum. On the other hand, the process of getting an implant is then less complicated because of the quality and quantity of remaining bone. Strong bone is necessary for successful implant treatment.

Source: unioncityoralsurgerygroup.com/

What is the link between socket preservation and dental implants?

As dental implants are becoming a much more common dental procedure, it is important to keep in mind that the bone surrounding the extracted tooth will significantly change over time.

If you are planning to get dental implants in the future, it is very essential to keep the overall architecture of the bone. Otherwise, your dental treatment may be prolonged to additional dental treatment – bone graft or sinus lift.

Tooth extraction – what is the aftercare?

After the tooth extraction, you should take good care of the area, which is around the socket. The dental specialist may ask you to not brush your teeth for 1 – 2 days, avoid activities which create additional pressure in the mouth (smoking or drinking with a straw) or avoid eating hard foods.

Get Your New Teeth In As Little As 48 Hours!

In Smile Clinic, you can have the full mouth reconstruction within 48 hours. How is this possible? Our dentists are using the immediate loading method. Thanks to this treatment, you can get your new smile in a very short time.

Even if you do not have enough bone, the dental implants surgery can be done on the same day as the bone graft is made. In our clinic, we use special dental implants and materials which are suitable for this. If you are interested in getting your dental implants in 48 hours, please contact us.

I want to new teeth within 48 hours!

Sources:

  1. Shahme Ahamed Farook – Controversies in Office-Based Surgery – Source Link
  2. Tassos Irinakis, DDS, Dip Perio, MSc, FRCD – Rationale for Socket Preservation after Extraction of a Single-Rooted Tooth when Planning for Future Implant Placement – Source Link
  3. Kilbarrack Dental Care – Socket preservation – Source Link
  4. James Torosian, Edwin S. Rosenberg – Esthetics and implant surgery – Source Link
  5. American Association Of Dental Consultants – Socket Preservation by Bone Grafting – Source Link
  6. Dr. Campbell – JAWBONE AND EXTRACTION SITE PRESERVATION – Source Link