Why Is It Necessary To Do A Bone Graft After An Extraction?
Any time that a tooth is extracted, you lose a minimum of 50% of the bone height and width because the hole where the tooth was sitting does not fill in completely with new bone. The sides of the socket collapse into the hole, lowering the overall height and width of the bone. The loss of bone has been shown to impact adjacent teeth. Adjacent teeth will shift if there is a space from a missing tooth. Shifting can create problems with chewing and further cause muscular collapse. Several conditions including aging, facial lines, and problematic dental restorations are often accelerated by premature loss of facial bone. Bone grafting (or socket preservation) is the conservation of the bone after tooth loss to preserve the height and the width of the jawbone. By maintaining the height and width of bone after an extraction, a patient has more favorable options and outcomes for future dentistry. For example, by grafting an extraction site, there is a better foundation for implant placement. Additionally, if grafting is completed, a wider, smoother ridge is left and thus much more comfortable for a removable prosthetic to sit upon. During the bone graft procedure, the grafting material is packed into the hole left by the extraction. As the socket heals, the immune system is stimulated by the graft material to grow new bone. The bone graft is done at the time of the extraction because that is when the blood supply is abundant and the bone is surgically stimulated which encourages lots of healing cells and a more favorable outcome. At Advanced Dentistry by Design, we make every attempt to save your natural teeth. However, if the removal of a tooth (or teeth) will improve your overall well-being, we have the technology to restore your mouth to complete functionality with a beautiful smile. Call us at (775) 400-2533, we look forward to meeting you!