Socket Preservation

Socket Preservation is one of the more common surgical techniques performed in our periodontal office. When it has been determined that a tooth is hopeless and needs to be extracted, a decision needs to be made regarding the restorative future of that space. Socket preservation refers to a bone grafting technique that involves filling the empty socket (following extraction of a tooth) with a bone graft in attempt to preserve the height and width of the existing bone.
 
Socket preservation is performed primarily when a tooth needs to be extracted and there is a plan to replace the tooth with a dental implant. Since the dental implant will utilize this bone for stability in the future, we want to ensure there is adequate volume to house the implant. Socket preservation utilizes a bone graft and a membrane to facilitate healing and preservation of the jawbone height and width for future implant placement.
 
Socket preservation is not always necessary for implant placement. However, most of the time, the socket that remains once a tooth is extracted is larger or not ideally located for implant placement. In this case, socket preservation is performed so that implant placement can be precise or ideal for the future crown. In other instances, the socket that remains is smaller or more shallow than the implant that will replace it. In this case, an implant can sometimes be placed immediately. Click Immediate Dental Implants to learn more.  
 
Dr. Richardson will be happy to meet with you and discuss your dental implant needs call our office at 352-589-1973 or click here to schedule.