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Gentle Extractions w/ Bone Graft

in mission viejo, ca

Having a tooth removed is a commonly done procedure, but did you know the importance of bone grafting after a tooth extraction? Right after tooth removal, your surrounding bone begins to degenerate, teeth start to shift, and your facial structure begins to change. The good news is that bone grafting can preserve your bone and socket, keeping them healthy, and preventing many potential complications.

Why Are Tooth Extractions Needed?

Your permanent teeth are meant to last a lifetime, and we will do everything we can to keep them in your mouth, but at times, extraction is necessary. That may be the case if your teeth are severely damaged by cavities or due to an accident, or severely infected. Teeth may need extraction in a crowded mouth to make room for orthodontic treatments to work.

You may have impacted wisdom teeth, meaning that they are trapped in your jawbone. They may come out at the wrong angle, damaging neighboring molars. They are also susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease due to being so far in the back of your mouth and being hard to reach and clean properly. The removal of wisdom teeth is often indicated if a problem is present, so as not to lead to complications requiring more involved treatments.

What Is the Extraction Procedure?

Before your oral surgery, we will discuss the process and take your medical history. Make sure to let us know about any health conditions you have and any medications you are taking. We will explain the procedure and will give you the opportunity to ask any questions.

We will start by numbing the area using a local anesthetic. You may also choose to breathe in nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas, to keep you comfortable during the procedure. You may opt for IV sedation or general anesthesia based your needs.

There are two main types of dental extractions. A simple one is used to extract teeth that are easily accessible, while a surgical one is needed when teeth are impacted, severely broken down teeth or root tips, those with long, curved roots, among other reasons.

A simple extraction involves loosening your tooth with an instrument called an elevator, then pulling it out using forceps. A surgical procedure involves making an incision in the and bone tissue to gain access to the tooth, and loosing and removing it using forceps. If needed, we may fragment your tooth into several parts to enable us to extract it.

What Happens After Tooth Extraction?

There is a bone surrounding the teeth called the alveolar ridge bone, and its primary function is supporting your teeth. Once a tooth is gone, bone begins to degenerate. Gaps start forming between your teeth as surrounding teeth begin to shift into the space left by the extracted tooth. In addition to losing bone, the gum tissue may lose volume and form. That is why bone grafting takes place right after tooth extraction.

What Is Bone Grafting After Extraction?

A bone grafting, also known as socket preservation is a safe and straightforward procedure. It usually takes place at the same time as your teeth extraction. The area of your jaw that holds a tooth in its place is called a tooth socket. Preserving the bone volume and shape is essential for future implant stability.

Socket preservation involves placing a bone graft inside the socket, where the extracted tooth used to be. The graft may be made of synthetic materials or may come from animal or human bone. After placing the graft in the tooth socket, we may cover it up with a collagen plug, then use stitches to close the opening. The collagen plug falls out in a week or two later, then the sutures dissolve and fall out. We will evaluate your bone to make sure sufficient bone is present for future implant surgery.

Why Bone Grafting?

Bone grafting procedures are used to maintain bone structure after a tooth extraction. It is necessary for several reasons. Many future dental procedures such as dental implants require healthy bone structure for optimal results. Additionally, the jaw and other facial bones support your skin and muscles that are responsible for your appearance. When bone loss takes place, your face can look prematurely aged.

What To Expect After Tooth Extraction?

A bone grafting, also known as socket preservation is a safe and straightforward procedure. It usually takes place at the same time as your teeth extraction. The area of your jaw that holds a tooth in its place is called a tooth socket. Preserving the bone volume and shape is essential for future implant stability.

Socket preservation involves placing a bone graft inside the socket, where the extracted tooth used to be. The graft may be made of synthetic materials or may come from animal or human bone. After placing the graft in the tooth socket, we may cover it up with a collagen plug, then use stitches to close the opening. The collagen plug falls out in a week or two later, then the sutures dissolve and fall out. We will evaluate your bone to make sure sufficient bone is present for future implant surgery.

Care After Extraction

Following the extraction, apply an ice pack to the area to reduce any swelling. Contact us immediately if your swelling keeps getting worse, or if you have a fever, shortness of breath, vomiting, or uncontrolled bleeding.

You will need to take good care of the area around your tooth socket to allow for healing and to prevent a painful condition called dry socket from developing. That happens when the blood clot forming in your tooth socket becomes dislodged, exposing the underlying bone. To prevent this, avoid brushing your teeth around the extraction site and do not smoke or use a straw for a day or two after the procedure. If you develop severe pain in the area, you will need to contact us immediately in case you have a dry socket that will require treatment.

Talk to the Experts

Contact us at Rancho Dental Center in Mission Viejo, CA to learn more about tooth extraction with bone grafting. Our highly trained and experienced team is here to answer all your questions and to help you determine the right treatments for you. We are all about your dental health and wellness!

You will need to take good care of the area around your tooth socket to allow for healing and to prevent a painful condition called dry socket from developing. That happens when the blood clot forming in your tooth socket becomes dislodged, exposing the underlying bone. To prevent this, avoid brushing your teeth around the extraction site and do not smoke or use a straw for a day or two after the procedure. If you develop severe pain in the area, you will need to contact us immediately in case you have a dry socket that will require treatment.

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