Socket preservation is a type of bone grafting procedure designed to protect the alveolar ridge and empty tooth socket from decaying – simultaneously creating a stronger support system for the dental implant that will be put into place as scheduled. In addition to protecting the tooth socket from inevitable bone erosion, socket preservation can also correct or amend any deformity that may exist in the alveolar ridge or socket. Failure to set the bone graft in place immediately or soon after an extraction can result in bone and soft tissue shrinkage that seriously compromises the functionality and aesthetics of dental implants. This can cause teeth to shift and move in any direction. You can wind up with small gaps that become large ones, or go from having no gaps in your teeth to having visible gaps. Even those planning to get a bridge and/or denture to replace their extracted teeth, rather than implants, benefit from socket preservation because it improves jaw health and structure as a whole – regardless of future implants or topical solutions. Either way, this specialized type of bone graft supports the integrity of your jaw and existing teeth as a whole.
