When a tooth cannot be predictably saved, careful extraction is the first step toward replacing it with a dental implant.
While other options exist for replacing teeth, such as a fixed bridge, oftentimes a dental implant is the preferred solution. This is because a dental implant does not require any manipulation of adjacent teeth for anchorage.
Following extraction, the jawbone naturally begins to shrink. This process results in bone loss and deficiency, which can prevent future implant placement and affect the health and shape of the surrounding gum tissue.
Ridge preservation (also known as “socket grafting”) at the time of extraction helps preserve the height and width of the jawbone. This procedure, which usually includes a bone graft material and a barrier membrane, helps avoid the need for more extensive grafting procedures later.
When ridge preservation is performed, the graft typically requires approximately 3–6 months to mature before implant placement, although the timing varies depending on the individual case.
