Ridge Preservation
When teeth are extracted, the bone surrounding the root losses support and shrinkage occurs. Studies have shown that the width of bone typically shrinks by 25% in the first six months following extraction. This can be problematic if implants are planned to replace the missing tooth or teeth. To avoid this shrinkage, a bone grafting procedure can be done at the time of extraction. This involves throughly cleaning out the extraction site and placing a powdered bone material into the socket. Additional materials may also be utilized depending on the degree of bone loss.
