Many dentists in the Chicagoland area trust and respect our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Bart Nierzwicki. They trust his track record and exemplary professionalism when it comes to surgical procedures of the face, neck, and head. Tooth socket preservation and restoration is no exception. While he knows that the removal of teeth is often necessary, causing more harm to the jaw is not. Teeth are extracted when they have become painful, infection-filled, or fractured due to bone loss. Damaged by disease or infection, the bone that holds the tooth in place has to be repaired once there is deformity of the jaw from the extraction. Encompassing bone and gums will shrink and recede quickly after the extraction. Many of our patients do not want their lips and cheeks to look sunken in, and tooth socket preservation helps patients avoid these unsightly defects. If you think you are a good candidate for this procedure, call us to learn more about it at Millennium Surgical.

Whether a tooth is lost to severe damage or disease, or requires extraction to preserve overall oral health, even a single empty tooth socket can contribute to gradual deterioration of the jawbone. A common technique used to preserve the socket involves reinforcing the empty space with bone or a fabricated bone substitute. The space is then covered with gum tissue, artificial membrane, or proteins that stimulate tissue regeneration to repair the socket and prevent facial collapse. Once healed, this tissue can also act as an adequate foundation for replacing the lost tooth with a dental implant.

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During the Procedure

After your primary dentist has recommended tooth removal, it is important to ask if you will need socket preservation (especially if you are replacing front teeth). Our surgeon can implement several techniques to preserve the bone and limit bone loss. We use the method where the tooth is removed and the socket is filled with bone or bone substitute. After being covered with gum, artificial membrane, or tissue-stimulating proteins, the socket will heal within itself. We want to eliminate shrinkage of your gums and facial tissues, and at the same time, prepare the new bone for a solid foundation for a dental implant.

Other Considerations

When it is necessary to replace teeth with implants, socket preservation can enhance and improve your smile’s appearance and increase the likelihood that you will have successful dental implants for many years to come. Jaw deformities from extracted teeth can cause problems with dental implants, bridges, or dentures if sockets are not properly preserved.

Plan Your Procedure

Recovery Time 1 – 2 Days
Average Procedure Time 1 Hour
Post-op Follow-up 2 Weeks
Procedure Recovery Location Office

Preserve Your Jaw

We will do our very best to ensure that you have all the information needed to make an informed decision about having socket preservation procedures. We can explain all of your options, and provide you with a detailed treatment plan after your first consultation. Call our experienced dental practice as soon as possible to preserve your jaw and restore your smile.