When a tooth is extracted the remaining socket heals over the next 6-9 months. During this time the body naturally remodels the socket as it fills with bone. Studies have shown that 40-60% of the bone may be lost in untreated sockets areas. Unfortunately, once the bone is lost it doesn’t grow back and a narrow, thin bony ridge remains.
Anyone who has a denture or partial denture knows how difficult it is to keep these in place and prevent them from moving around. When the ridges get thinner over time it becomes even more difficult. Additionally, bone is needed in these areas in order to restore them with artificial root replacements, or dental implants, which today are considered the standard of care for replacing missing teeth.
In recent years new grafting techniques have been developed to treat these thin bony ridges. Ridge grafting is a surgical procedure that will restore the thickness allowing us to place dental implants where in the past it was not possible. Additionally, this opens numerous options when it comes to replacing missing teeth with dental implants and allows partials and dentures to be less bulky.
With over 25 years of experience working with dental implants and implant retained dentures we can prevent this expensive treatment. At Capitol Dental we prefer to add bone graft to the original extraction socket and prevent the bone loss from the beginning. While this may cost a little more at the time of extraction it is thousands of dollars less than grafting the thin ridge once the bone is lost.