If you’re scheduled for a tooth extraction in the near future, you may want to discuss the possibility of getting a socket preservation treatment as well. When a tooth is extracted, it leaves a gap where your tooth was. This hole, called the socket of the tooth, can become quite sensitive, especially after the initial treatment. Socket preservation can help reduce this sensitivity and the side effects that you’ll feel after your extraction. This procedure is completed to protect the socket of the extracted tooth and prevent further pain and damage. Not many people are familiar with the socket preservation procedure. For more information, keep reading below.
Reasons for a Socket Preservation
There are many benefits when receiving a socket preservation treatment. First of all, consider the possibility of having a dry socket. After your extraction, the blood in the socket will clot. This clot forms a protective barrier and allows for proper healing. If this blood clot is somehow knocked loose, you risk nerve exposure, hence developing pain. This process develops what is formally known as a dry socket. In addition to this, if this dry socket occurs, you risk the inability to receive a dental implant in the future.
That’s because these clots also ensure your alveolar ridge remains intact. The alveolar ridge is a strip of bone in the mouth that is formed around the roots of all your teeth. If this becomes damaged in some way or form, you may not have a strong enough bone structure for implantation. This makes your future visits increasingly complicated. To avoid all of these issues, having a socket preservation done can ensure speedy and safe recovery.
Socket Preservation Procedure
When a socket preservation procedure is to be performed, your tooth must first be extracted. Once your dentist is finished removing the tooth, the process can begin. First, your dentist will lift your gum away from the bone underneath and give it a thorough cleansing. This will ensure that all bad bacteria are eliminated from the cavity and won’t cause infection. In some cases, an antibiotic powder treatment can be used for this purpose.
After cleansing, a barrier membrane is attached to one side of your gums where the empty socket is. The socket is then packed with bone grafting material. This helps regrow bone in an area where it would be previously difficult or impossible to form. The other side of the membrane is then attached, and the wound is closed over the graft. If a non-dissolvable membrane was used, it is then removed 30 days after treatment. In total, it will take anywhere from 3 to 9 months for the graft to properly incorporate into the bone.
After Care
It is essential to keep good care of the socket after extraction and socket preservation. Doing so will allow you to heal properly and protect your gums. Avoid brushing your teeth for a day to allow your graft to stay in place. Additionally, for the duration of the treatment, avoid eating hard foods or using anything that can create added pressure in your mouth. These activities can include but are not limited to use of a straw and smoking. If anything happens to the socket during the healing process, contact your dentist immediately.
Ask About Socket Preservation Today
Socket preservation may be one of the best ways to promote safe, natural healing of your tooth socket after extraction. If during your free consultation at Teach Dental Group we decide you’d benefit from a tooth extraction and socket preservation, don’t hesitate to ask questions. We’re here to help and provide you with the best care and treatment possible. Contact us today to schedule your complimentary dental consultation and identify if you’d benefit from these procedures!
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