Dr. Mogell Dental Blog

Boca Raton Cosmetic Dentist

Should you bone graft an extraction site?

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Extractions and Bone Grafts

Unfortunately sometimes whether out of neglect, trauma or just things happening, a tooth may need to be extracted. A tooth extraction is not uncommon and a routine procedure. A tooth rests in a socket and is surrounded by gum tissue and bone. When a tooth is extracted the bone and gum tissue naturally collapse.
In order to prevent this caving in that patients often refer to a bone graft is placed in the socket at the time of extraction. This is done to rebuild the bone where extraction has left an empty weakened area.

Grafting materials may enhance regeneration of natural bone and maintain the original shape and size of the jaw to maintain the bone should a patient elect to have an implant placed at a future appointment.

There are several type of bone used for grafting. The best is always going to be you own bone, autogenous grafts. There are also specially treated bone grafts that are obtained from cadavers, allografts. Then there are Xenografts which are obtained, after appropriate preparation, from another species such as a cow.

Bone grafts are the state of the art for preserving the jaw bone after having a tooth removed. If you have any questions regarding the process of bone grafts and extractions, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 561-394-9000. We will be glad to help you understand your options when it involves these important decisions.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.