After a tooth extraction, the bone and gum tissue around the empty socket often begin to shrink or resorb. This natural process can lead to challenges for future tooth replacement options, such as dental implants, and can impact the overall appearance of your smile. If left unaddressed, bone loss can lead to a “sunken” or prematurely aged appearance in your facial profile due to the missing structural support. To help prevent these concerns, our experienced dentist may recommend socket and ridge preservation, a proactive approach to maintaining the bone structure following an extraction.
Preserving Supporting Bone
Socket and ridge preservation is a treatment designed to preserve the bone volume and gum contours at the extraction site. This approach helps to minimize bone loss, creating a stable foundation for dental implants, bridges or dentures down the road. Additionally, preserving the ridge and socket shape can have a positive effect on the appearance of your smile by maintaining natural contours and reducing the likelihood of visible depressions in the gums.
In many cases, socket and ridge preservation can be performed immediately after an extraction. By placing a bone graft material in the socket and covering it with a special membrane, our dentist can encourage new bone growth while stabilizing the area. This process supports the bone and soft tissue around the socket, allowing it to maintain its shape as it heals. The graft material integrates with your natural bone, providing a scaffold for new growth and preserving the volume and density of the extraction site.
During your consultation, Dr. Sophie Nabavi will assess your specific needs and determine if socket and ridge preservation is the right option for you. This treatment can be customized to match the level of bone and tissue preservation needed, ensuring that the foundation for any future restorations is optimized. For patients interested in dental implants or other fixed solutions, socket and ridge preservation can be a crucial first step.
We invite you to contact Padre Island Family Dentistry at 361-589-4090 to make an appointment with our dentist to learn more about how socket and ridge preservation in Corpus Christi, Texas, can benefit your oral health and overall smile appearance. Protecting your smile’s foundation today can make a significant difference in your dental health and confidence for years to come.