Tooth Extraction & Ridge Preservation

 

When is Extraction & Ridge Preservation needed?

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There are times when a tooth cannot be saved due to decay, infection, fracture or periodontal disease. Our goal at Comfort Dental is to ensure that if a tooth needs to be extracted, we are planning ahead for the next step. A ridge preservation procedure is a technique used to preserve and even grow jaw bone at the time of tooth extraction, so that later an implant can be successfully placed.  Our periodontist at Comfort Dental uses a minimally-invasive and predictable approach with every extraction to prevent bone loss and enhance comfort and outcomes. Whenever there is a plan for an implant, we recommend ridge preservation to establish proper bone volume for future implant placement. When an implant is placed ideally in good bone, it is set up for long-term success.

 

Procedure for Extraction and Ridge Preservation for Dental Implant

The procedure involves a consultation to review your plan and the surgical appointment takes about one hour. It is performed under local anesthesia and we will make sure your are comfortable. The tooth is removed as painless as possible, preserving the surrounding bone. Doctor  then will place a bone graft into the socket, and cover the graft with a membrane barrier. The graft material is Allograft FDBA and comes from a bone bank, where it is sterilized and processed so there is no chance of rejection. Occasionally, we may recommended using Bovine bone or your own bone (Autograft). The membrane covers the graft and prevents contamination and keeps the graft stable. Sutures are placed and post-op instructions given.

After 2 weeks you will be seen for a post-op appointment and to remove sutures. We will review the next step and go over oral hygiene instructions. Typically, after 3-4 months the graft is stable enough to place the dental implant. Doctor will recommend an implant planning appointment at that time to take a radiograph or CBCT scan, review the implant procedure and answer any questions.

 

Benefits of Extraction & Ridge Preservation

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• Preserves jawbone for ideal implant placement
   

• Can regain bone previously lost due to infection or periodontal disease
   

• Eliminates need for bone grafting in future
   

• Implants placed in grafted bone perform similar to implants in native bone

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What is Ridge Augmentation?

 

A ridge augmentation is a common oral surgical procedure often performed following a tooth extraction. This procedure helps recreate the natural contour of the gums and jaw that may have been lost due to bone loss from a tooth extraction, or for another reason.

 

The alveolar ridge of the jaw is the bone that surrounds the roots of teeth. When a tooth is removed an empty socket is left in the alveolar ridge bone. Usually this empty socket will heal on its own, filling with bone and tissue. Sometimes when a tooth is removed the bone surrounding the socket is lost. The previous height and width of the socket will continue to deteriorate.

 

Rebuilding the original height and width of the alveolar ridge (ridge augmentation) may be required for dental implant placement or for aesthetic purposes. Dental implants require bone to support their structure and a ridge augmentation can help rebuild this bone to accommodate the implant.

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What is Ridge Splitting?

 

The alveolar ridge bone is a special type of bone surrounding and supporting the teeth. When a tooth has been removed, this bone begins to deteriorate.  It can also lose density due to natural breakdown from age, or from disease.

 

Ridge expansion is performed when the jaw is not wide enough or high enough to support implants. The bony ridge of the jaw is increased by splitting the bone with surgical instruments. Bone graft material is inserted and allowed to heal before placing the implant. In some cases, the implant is placed when the ridge is split.

 

The surgery is typically performed in the office under regular local dental anesthetic like “novcaine”.

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What is Sinus Augmentation or Sinus Lift ?

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A key to implant success is the quantity and quality of the bone where the implant is to be placed. The upper back jaw has traditionally been one of the most difficult areas to successfully place dental implants due to insufficient bone quantity and quality and the close proximity to the sinus. If you’ve lost bone in that area due to reasons such as periodontal disease or tooth loss, you may be left without enough bone to place implants.

 

Sinus lift surgery – also known as sinus augmentation – can help correct this problem by raising the sinus floor and developing bone for the placement of dental implants. Several techniques can be used to raise the sinus and allow for new bone to form.

 

In one common technique, an incision is made in the gum to expose the bone. Then a small circle is cut into the bone. This bony piece is lifted into the sinus cavity, much like a trap door, and the space underneath is filled with bone graft material. Your periodontist can explain your options for bone graft materials, which can regenerate lost bone and tissue.

 

Finally, the incision is closed and healing is allowed to take place. Depending on your individual needs, the bone usually will be allowed to develop for from four to 12 months before implants can be placed. After the implants are placed, an additional healing period is required. In some cases, however, the implant can be placed at the same time the sinus is augmented.

 

Undergoing sinus lift surgery has been shown to greatly increase the chances for successful implants that can last for years to come. Many patients experience minimal discomfort during this procedure.