When one or a series of teeth are extracted there are consequences that  cause the surrounding soft tissue and bone to collapse.  This can have a negative impact on the way you chew and limit your restorative options.  Socket grafting and ridge preservation are procedures designed to rebuild the bone in order to allow tooth replacement.  A bone material will then be placed into a socket or ridge defect to fill it and build it into a firm foundation for reconstruction. It is most useful in preserving the natural appearance of the front of the mouth. It is also very instrumental in providing appropriate bone height for dental implants and support for dentures or dental bridge construction. 

 

There will usually be an extended healing time for the grafted bone to fully integrate with the existing natural bone. It is important to wait until this healing process is truly complete before continuing with the restoration in the area. When the new bone is well fixed then implants or bridgework can restore full oral function. Socket and other types of bone grafting have allowed the placement of implants for patients who would otherwise not be candidates for this type of restoration.