30638 BRO pdf - ProSites, Inc.c2-preview.prosites.com/199554/wy/docs/Educational...whether socket preservation is necessary to help you achieve your treatment goals and set the foundation

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Socket Preservation

A key to implant success is theamount and quality of the bonewhere the implant is to be placed.

The goal of periodontal therapy is to saveexisting teeth and to replace missing teeth.During the course of treatment, however,your periodontist may identify hopelessteeth and other teeth requiring removal.Removing teeth (extracting) may benecessary because of pain, infection, boneloss caused by periodontal disease, and/orto facilitate restorative treatment.

The bone that holds the tooth in place (thesocket) is often damaged by disease and/orinfection resulting in a jaw deformity whenthe tooth is extracted. These jaw deformitiescan create major problems in performingrestorative dentistry (see figure 1.0), whetheryour treatment plan involves dentalimplants, fixed bridges, removable dentures,or reshaping your gumline for a morepleasing smile. Jaw deformities from toothremoval can be prevented and repaired by aprocedure called socket preservation. Socketpreservation can greatly improve yoursmile’s appearance and increase yourchances for successful dental implants andother restorations for years to come.

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Several techniques are used to preservethe bone and minimize bone loss adjacentto the socket. In one common technique,the tooth is removed and the socket andany associated deformity are then filled withbone or bone substitute, and may becovered with biocompatible barriers toencourage your body’s natural ability to fixitself by regenerating lost bone and tissue.

Finally, the gum is closed and healing isallowed to takeplace. Depend-ing on yourindividual needs,the bone usuallywill be allowedto develop forabout four to 12months beforeyour implantplacement orrestorative treat-ment can becompleted.

However, in some cases, temporary orprovisional restorative care can be providedat the same time the socket is preserved tomaximize esthetics, comfort and function.

If your dentist or periodontist has recom-mended tooth removal, be sure to askwhether socket preservation is necessary tohelp you achieve your treatment goals andset the foundation for dental implants andrestorations that will bring a happy, healthysmile for years to come.

Figure 1.0

Note the oversized and mis-

shaped tooth restoration to

compensate for the lost gum

and bone.

© 2004 The American Academy of PeriodontologySPD