Should You Have a Bone Graft At The Same Time as Your Tooth Extraction

Unfortunately, there are times when tooth removal is necessary. Despite every effort to save it, the extensively damaged tooth can compromise your overall oral health and lead to more serious issues. Similarly, the team may have to perform additional steps to ensure that your dental structures are in the optimal situation. We'd like to explain a little more about a close relative of tooth extraction services. Let's learn more about bone grafts and tooth extractions.

If you are about to undergo a tooth extraction in Auburn, CA, our team can help you determine whether a bone grafting procedure is necessary at the same time as your tooth removal. Read on to learn more about how an extraction and bone graft at Maidu Dental and Orthodontics can prepare you for a dental implant and preserve your smile for years to come.

What Is a Bone Graft?

In Auburn dentistry, a bone graft refers to a procedure that increases the density and volume of the natural jawbone tissue. To perform this treatment, additional bone is added to the area of deficiency.

What Are Some Types of Bone Grafts

• Autografts: This refers to bone taken from the patient’s own body, usually the chin, or another part of the jawbone.
• Allografts: This is donor tissue from other human sources and can be purchased from a licensed bone and tissue bank.
• Xenografts: This type of graft is derived from an animal source – usually bovine or porcine – and can also be obtained from a bone and tissue bank.

Is Bone Graft Necessary After Tooth Extraction?

Not exactly. Keep in mind that we would only recommend a tooth extraction if the damage to the piece is beyond repair and might present a danger to your overall health. However, tooth extractions are only part of the solution. Skilled Auburn dentists, such as Dr. Luminita Markham, know better than to leave you without a tooth and risk additional complications such as tooth crowding and rotation.

To prevent such additional negative outcomes and make the most out of the scheduled surgical intervention, we frequently recommend bone grafts at the same time as tooth extraction in Auburn, CA, especially if a dental implant is the chosen method as a replacement option. Keep in mind that these procedures can only be performed by an oral surgeon. Fortunately, we have the skilled team you need.

This procedure is referred to as a ridge preservation graft, and we'll place it directly into the socket immediately after tooth removal. The bone grafting material keeps the bony walls from caving in, providing a firm, solid foundation for a dental implant in the future.

This type of graft does not cause any additional discomfort during an extraction, as the site is already open and accessible for simple tooth or molar removal. In most cases, the site will need to heal for approximately three to six months before an implant can be placed.

Tooth Extraction Without a Bone Graft

We are occasionally asked by our patients, “What if I’ve already had a tooth extracted without a bone graft? Can I still have an implant?” This is a valid question, as one must have a healthy, ideal site for implant placement.

In some cases, extraction sites heal fine on their own, although it typically takes several months. In other instances, however, too much bone is lost after the extraction, especially if the procedure was a difficult one. For this reason, we always recommend a bone graft at the time of tooth removal, as this option gives you the best chance for implant candidacy.

How To Restore the Bone Ridge After Atrophy

Patients who have been missing a tooth for a prolonged period of time generally experience some degree of bone deterioration. Fortunately, there is a way to address this issue, although the process is more extensive compared to a socket preservation graft.

If the bone ridge has collapsed due to atrophy, ridge augmentation can be performed. This procedure adds height, width, and volume to the jaw. If bone loss has occurred in the posterior portion of the upper jaw, the maxillary sinuses could drop down and occupy the space once inhabited by the teeth roots.

To correct this issue, a sinus lift can be performed. After carefully raising the sinus membrane, a large bone graft is placed underneath to promote tissue regeneration. Both of these procedures can significantly increase your eligibility for dental implants.

Healing From Bone Graft and Tooth Extraction

Naturally, everyone's healing process will vary in one way or another. The general recovery process may take a few weeks, but it's good practice to divide the recovery period into two stages. Initially, You should heavily limit physical activity, modify your diet, and take your prescribed medications (which may include antibiotics and painkillers) as directed by a physician.

Keep in mind that you may easily and accidentally disturb the area where the specialists placed the bone graft, causing some particles to be lost. Don't be overly alarmed by this, but if you do notice it, take additional care to avoid disturbing the area further.

Follow these simple instructions to care for the area as it heals:

• Do not touch the wound
• Refrain from spitting your own saliva or rinsing your mouth, especially during the initial 24 hours to allow blood clot and graft stabilization.
• Avoid touching the area with your tongue

What To Do After a Bone Graft?

Let's go over what you should do after a bone graft to encourage proper healing.

• Remain in a sitting position and bite down on the gauze provided to stop the bleeding. This will take up to 3 to 4 hours. Make sure the gauze is forming a seal directly over or under the socket. Check the gauze and wound after every hour to determine if the bleeding has stopped. When you check the wound, be on the lookout for additional blood clots in the surrounding teeth. If there are any, wipe them off. This may cause some minor bleeding, but it is necessary.
• Eat soft and nutritious food. At first, you should have something light such as a milkshake (that's not so cool). Have something liquid that will help you stave off the sensation of hunger for some time. Try to maintain a diet of liquid foods or anything that requires virtually no chewing. You can gradually transition towards other soft foods such as steamed vegetables, protein shakes, and healthy smoothies.
• Take your medications as indicated, but evaluate if you need to start with painkillers. The worst pain should be limited to the first 72 hours and should gradually disappear in the following 5 to 6 days. If you received a prescription for antibiotics, take the first dose no later than 1 hour after the procedure.
• Do not neglect your oral hygiene. As mentioned, avoid rinsing your mouth for the first 24 hours; you should also refrain from brushing your teeth during that time. After that period, you can start to brush your teeth very gently and rinse your mouth with saltwater. It might hurt when you start to brush. Please do so gently and continue doing so. Remember that clean wounds heal faster.

Learn More about Tooth Extraction in Auburn, CA

Are you about to undergo a tooth extraction in Auburn, CA? If so, it is important to understand how a bone graft can preserve your jawbone and improve your oral health. To learn more, contact us online or call us at 530-823-8771.