When you lose a tooth, or when one is extracted, this could leave the jaw vulnerable to a breakdown in mass and density. This could even complicate the ability to replace missing teeth. In today’s blog, your Santa Rosa, CA, oral surgeons talk about the ridge preservation process.
When a Tooth Needs to Be Extracted
When a tooth becomes severely damaged, or develops major tooth decay or an infection, then the internal damage and infection could spread to other teeth or move into the jawbone. Which is why extracting the tooth could be crucial for safeguarding the rest of your smile. However, when we remove a tooth, the gaps left behind could lead to major complications too. For example, missing teeth are linked to the onset of dental misalignment, TMJ disorder, bruxism (teeth grinding), and even further tooth loss and an older appearance as the jaw breaks down. You see, the body will suspend the flow of key nutrients to the jaw around a missing tooth, which starves the bone tissue and causes a gradual breakdown.
Preserving Your Ridge
To prevent the complications we discussed above, our team recommends replacing your missing tooth as soon as possible with a dental implant. The dental implant not only looks natural, but is accepted by the body as a root, which allows the body to resume the flow of nutrients. But to prevent changes before we can insert a dental implant, we need to preserve the ridge. To do so, our team will use donor or synthetic tissues, or some taken from other parts of your body, like your jaw or hip, to preserve the site. The new tissues bond with the extraction site, and protect it until we’re ready to move forward with tooth replacement. You avoid bone resorption, and your smile is ready to receive a sturdy and long-lasting replacement option.
Dental Implant Placement
The dental implant is inserted into the extraction site, guided by digital technology and set at an angle to stimulate the growth of bone tissue and support a new crown or prosthetic. We then attach an abutment that extends above the gum line. The custom crown or prosthetic is then secured to the abutment. You now have a tooth ready to last for decades to come, or even a lifetime, with proper care and attention. If you have any questions then please contact our team today.
Ready to Replace Your Lost Teeth?
We want to help your smile whole and ready for implant placement following tooth extraction. To learn more about ridge preservation, then schedule a consultation by calling Santa Rosa Oral Surgery in Santa Rosa, CA, today at 707-545-4625.