Socket Preservation ( Alveolar Ridge Preservation)
Focus: How socket preservation can help maintain jawbone health after tooth extraction and improve the success rate of dental implants.
Socket preservation, also known as alveolar ridge preservation, is a dental procedure aimed at maintaining oral health following a tooth extraction.
This bone grafting procedure helps to preserve the jawbone structure and prevent bone loss, providing a strong foundation for future dental implants or other restorations.
Key Takeaway
Socket preservation maintains jawbone health after tooth extraction. It helps to prevent bone loss and improves the success rate of dental implants and restorations.
What is Socket Preservation?
Socket preservation is a surgical procedure performed after a tooth extraction to maintain the integrity of the alveolar ridge.
The alveolar ridge is the bony ridge that houses the teeth. After a tooth is extracted, the surrounding bone begins to resorb or shrink, which can lead to changes in facial aesthetics and difficulties with future dental treatments.
At the time of extraction, bone graft material is placed in the extraction site and covered with a barrier membrane. This helps to prevent bone loss and promote new bone growth, preserving the shape and size of the alveolar bone.
Why is Socket Preservation Performed?
Socket preservation is typically performed for three main reasons:
- To prevent bone loss after tooth extraction
- To preserve jawbone structure for future dental implants or other restorations
- To improve facial aesthetics by maintaining the natural contours of the jawline
Did You Know?
Studies have shown that during the first three months following tooth extraction, approximately two-thirds of the surrounding hard and soft tissues undergo some degree of resorption. Most significant bone loss happens within the first six months after the procedure.
Candidates for Socket Preservation
This procedure is recommended for patients that are having a tooth extracted and are at risk for bone loss.
This includes patients planning for dental implants or those with conditions that can lead to bone loss, such as gum disease or smoking.
Benefits of Socket Preservation
The primary benefit of socket preservation is the preservation of jawbone height and width.
Other benefits include:
- Establishes a strong foundation for dental implants or other restorations such as bridges and dentures.
- Helps prevent dry socket, a painful condition that can occur after tooth extraction.
- Prevents teeth from shifting, maintaining proper alignment and bite.
- Prevents gum recession, which can lead to tooth sensitivity and increased risk of decay.
| Outcome | With Socket Preservation | Without Socket Preservation |
|---|---|---|
| Bone Loss | Maintains bone level and density. | Bone resorption will occur over time. |
| Implant Success | Stable foundation for future implants or other dental restorations. I.e. dental bridge or dentures. | Bone grafting procedure will likely be necessary before implants can be placed due to decreased bone height and width. |
| Aesthetic Appearance | Preserves natural jaw contours and improves facial aesthetics. | Gum and facial tissues shrink over time, causing changes to face shape. |
| Risk of Complications | Reduces healing time, risk of post-extraction complications like dry socket. | Higher risk of developing a dry socket. |
| Long-term Dental Stability | Supports adjacent teeth, preventing shifting. | Increased likelihood of tooth misalignment over time. |
This table highlights some of the key differences between a tooth extraction with and without socket preservation.
Procedure Details
The procedure is straight forward and involves the following steps:
- Extraction of the tooth to be removed
- Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the extraction site
- Placement of bone graft material into the socket
- Application of a barrier membrane over the bone graft to protect it from contamination and promote healing
- Suturing of the extraction site to secure the membrane and aid in proper healing
Grafting Materials
We offer two types of bone grafting materials for socket preservation:
- Autogenous bone grafts, which use the patient’s own bone from a different location in the mouth or body.
- Allografts, which use donor tissue from a tissue bank.
Both types have been shown to be effective in maintaining jawbone structure and promoting new bone growth.
Aftercare
After the procedure, it is important to carefully follow post-op instructions provided by our team.
This may include:
- Avoid strenuous activity for the first few days after the procedure.
- Avoid vigorous rinsing and spitting for the first 24 hours to allow the graft material and blood clot to stabilize.
- Take prescribed medication as directed.
- Eat soft foods and avoid chewing on the extraction site.
- Maintain good oral hygiene practices, including gentle brushing and flossing around the area.
It is also important to attend any scheduled follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing and address any concerns.
Risks and Complications
While socket preservation is generally a safe and effective procedure, there are some potential risks and complications that may occur.
These include:
- Infection at the surgical site
- Bleeding or swelling
- Nerve damage which can cause numbness or tingling in the surrounding area
Having a skilled periodontist perform your surgery will greatly reduce the risk of complications.
Trust the Experts at Highlands Ranch Periodontics & Implant Center
Our periodontists, Dr. Mike Norouzinia, DDS, and Dr. Kerri Font, DDS, specialize in periodontal and implant dentistry, including socket preservation procedures.
With years of experience and a commitment to patient care, our team is dedicated to helping you maintain a healthy smile.
To book an appointment at our periodontal clinic in Highlands Ranch, CO, call (303) 683-1144 or complete the online booking form.
FAQs About Socket Preservation (Alveolar Ridge Preservation)
Socket preservation is definitely worth considering if you are planning to get dental implants or other restorations such as dentures or bridges. It helps preserve the jawbone structure, which is essential for successful implant placement and the long-term stability of dental implants.
Yes, you can get a dental implant two years after extraction. However, if you did not have a socket preservation graft placed at the time of extraction, it is likely that your jaw bone has experienced some resorption. This may require a bone grafting procedure before implant placement.
Socket preservation is recommended for most extractions. This is because we want to preserve the bone on the adjacent tooth even if we are not going to place an implant later on. An example of when it would not be performed is if there was a large infection that could not be adequately debrided before grafting, or major swelling that required the area to drain.
Socket preservation can help maintain jawbone structure for several years, but it is not a permanent solution.