Socket Grafting

Known as Socket preservation or alveolar ridge preservation procedure. It allows to reduce bone loss after tooth extraction. After tooth extraction, the jaw bone has a natural tendency to lose its original width resulting in 30–60% loss in bone volume in the first six months. Bone loss, can compromise the ability to place a dental implant (to replace the tooth), its aesthetics and functional ability.

A 2015 Cochrane study found that there was evidence that socket preservation does indeed improve the height and width, compared to extraction without socket preservation but that there is insufficient data to conclude that it decreases implant failures, improves aesthetics, or that one grafting material is any better than another.

Socket preservation is completed at the time of extraction. After removal of the tooth, the gum is elevated away from the bone if needed, the socket is thoroughly cleansed mechanicaaly with curettes and chemically and than thoroughly rinsed with saline (sterile) water. The socket is packed with bone grafting material and a resorbable collagen barrier membrane is placed over the graft. The wound will be closed over the barrier membrane.