Once the tooth has been extracted, a bone graft material is inserted inside the socket. At Teeth & More, we use NuOss™ bone graft material – A natural, porous bone mineral matrix, produced by the removal of all organic components from bovine (cow) bone. Due to its natural structure, NuOss™ is physically and chemically comparable to the mineralized matrix of human bone.

This bone graft material will overtime harden and become part of the jaw bone structure, ensuring provision of sufficient foundation for placement of future implants, bridges and dentures.

After insertion of the bone graft material, a collagen membrane is placed on top to cover the graft material and allow good healing of the gum tissue. The collagen membrane is sutured into the socket.

Socket preservation after having a tooth extracted has several advantages:

• Prevents the bone from shrinking therefore maintaining horizontal facial bone structure
• Less likely for a replacement denture or reline to be needed, as less bone and gum shrinkage
• Lower gap formation under the pontic (part of bridge replacing a missing tooth)of a bridge
• Better bone depth and height and therefore a better prognosis when placing a dental implant and less need for future bone graft
• Saves 6 months healing time to have immediate bone grafting compared to having bone graft once socket has healed and shrunk.

If you would like to know more about socket preservation, dental implants, dentures or bridges, or painless dentistry, please contact us to book in for a FREE consultation at our dental practice.