Bone Grafting Procedures

When a tooth is removed, the alveolar ridge, the bone surrounding the tooth root, can collapse if the socket does not heal properly. Ridge augmentation rebuilds the natural height and width of this bone, restoring the jaw so it can support a dental implant. Bone graft material is placed into the empty socket, the gum tissue is secured over it, and the site is allowed to heal. This is often performed at the same time as an extraction to avoid a separate procedure later.

Immediately after tooth extraction, the surrounding bone and gum tissue begin to shrink rapidly, potentially causing jaw deformities that complicate future implant placement, bridgework, or dentures. Socket preservation prevents this by filling the extraction socket with bone or bone substitute material at the time of extraction, then covering the site with gum tissue or a membrane. The socket heals with minimal bone loss, preserving the volume and contour of the jaw. This is especially important when future implants are planned or when front teeth are involved.