Protecting Your Smile After Tooth Removal
When a tooth is removed, the jawbone that once supported it can begin to shrink and collapse over time. In fact, studies show that the ridge can lose up to 40–60% of its width within the first six months following an extraction if no preservation is done. This natural bone loss may affect the appearance of your smile and make it more difficult to place a dental implant in the future. Socket preservation is a procedure performed immediately after an extraction to help prevent this bone loss and maintain the natural shape of your jaw and gums
Why Is Socket Preservation Important?
When a tooth is removed, the surrounding bone begins to shrink—often losing up to 40–60% of its volume within the first six months. This bone loss can affect the bite, compromise facial esthetics, and cause gum contour irregularities, especially in the front of the mouth. Socket preservation helps to:
- Maintain the ridge’s shape and volume for future dental implants
- Provide critical support for natural-looking bridge restorations by preventing unsightly dips or gaps under the prosthesis
- Avoid more complex, invasive, and costly bone grafting procedures later, which are often less predictable than grafting done at the time of extraction
By preserving the socket immediately after extraction, we lay the foundation for healthier, more stable, and more esthetic long-term outcomes.
An example of how a non-grafted site compared to a socket preserved site
What to Expect
After removing the tooth, Dr. Sakhai gently cleans the socket and places a bone graft material into the site. This material may come from a donor source, be synthetic, or animal-derived, depending on your individual needs and preferences. The socket is then covered with a membrane or collagen plug and sutured closed to promote healing.
PRF: Enhancing Your Body’s Natural Healing
At our office, Dr. Sakhai uses Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) in all socket preservation procedures. PRF is made from a small sample of your own blood and contains natural growth factors that accelerate healing, improve tissue regeneration, and reduce discomfort. It’s a completely natural and safe way to enhance your healing process and improve long-term results.
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