Bone Grafting & Socket Preservation

What is socket preservation with bone graft ?

Socket preservation is a procedure in which the bone graft material is placed in the socket after tooth extraction. This is done to preserve the alveolar ridge. Without socket preservation, the bone quickly resorbs. The jaw bone will never revert to its original shape once bone is lost and tissue contour has changed.

Why does bone loss occur when teeth are lost ?

Bone needs stimulation to maintain its form and density. In the case of alveolar (sac-like) bone that surrounds and supports teeth, the necessary stimulation comes from the teeth themselves. When a tooth is lost, the lack of stimulation causes loss of alveolar bone. Generally, there is a 25% decrease in width of bone during the first year, after tooth loss and an overall decrease in height over the next few years. Over time 65% of the bone resorbs, If no measure is taken to preserve the bone. And it doesn’t stop there. After alveolar bone is lost, the bone beneath it, basal bone — the jawbone proper — also begins to resorb (melt away). This leads to some particularly serious aesthetic and functional problems, particularly in people who have lost all of their teeth. The more teeth lost, the more function lost.

How can bone be preserved or re-grown to support dental implants ?

Grafting bone into the extraction sockets at the time of tooth loss or removal can help preserve bone volume needed for implant placement. Surgical techniques are also available to regenerate (re-grow) bone that has been lost, to provide the necessary bone substance for anchoring implants. In fact, a primary reason to consider dental implants to replace missing teeth is the maintenance of jawbone.

How do Dental Implants help to preserve the bone ?

Bone needs stimulation to stay healthy. Because dental implants fuse to the bone, they stabilize it and prevent further bone loss. Resorption is a normal and inevitable process in which bone is lost when it is no longer supporting or connected to teeth. Only dental implants can stop this process and preserve the bone.