Tooth Extraction and Socket Grafting

At Advanced Periodontics we can help you when a tooth cannot be saved and must be removed. Some of the reasons a tooth cannot be saved include decay, crown fracture, root fracture, abscess, and bone loss. After a tooth is removed, normal shrinkage of the bone will occur. The amount of shrinkage is unpredictable. Excessive shrinkage may prevent future placement of implants, create difficulty with your prosthesis, and compromise adjacent teeth or esthetics. It is common to place bone grafting materials into a socket immediately after the extraction of a tooth. This helps to maintain normal bone contours, and it significantly reduces the shrinkage of bone. The advantages are numerous: better implant base, support for adjacent teeth, improvement of aesthetics, and improved fit and function of your prosthesis.

Questions to ask if you are considering a tooth extraction and socket grafting:

• How long do I have to wait before an implant can be placed?
• How long does it take for the bone to resorb?
• Do the stitches dissolve?
• Can I wear a temporary partial to replace the missing tooth/teeth?

Talk to the experts about procedures to improve your dental health. Call our offices in Hamden or New Haven to schedule a consultation today.