UNITED DENTAL OFFICE    provides General, Restorative, Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry

Socket Preservation and Bone Grafting

When a tooth is removed, Dr. Enatsu recommends maintaining the volume of bone to provide an improved foundation for replacement of the lost tooth. Today, more than ever, advances in medicine and dentistry have led to new and expanded areas of treatment. Procedures to repair and grow new bone, unheard of just a few years ago, are now part of routine dental surgical care.

    What is bone grafting?
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that replaces missing bone with a material called a bone graft. This material not only replaces missing bone, but also helps your body regrow lost bone. This new bone growth strengthens the grafted area by forming a bridge between your existing bone and the graft. Over time the newly formed bone will replace much of the grafted material. The graft material is either from another part of your mouth or another source such as bovine or synthetic.

    Why are bone grafts needed?
Bone grafts are needed when a part of your body is missing bone. This missing portion of bone is frequently called a "bony defect". Examples of jaw bone defects are: defects surrounding roots of teeth (periodontal defects); defects which occur following tooth extraction; generalized decrease in quantity of jaw bone from trauma or long-term tooth loss; defects surrounding dental implants; defects resulting from cyst or tumor surgery. Maintaining and replacing bone are important for cosmetic success in implant and conventional dentistry.