There are many reasons why you may one day need tooth extraction. If you have an impacted wisdom tooth, for example, or if your tooth is too damaged or infected to restore it, then extraction may be your only option. With the exception of wisdom teeth, extracting a tooth usually means that you should replace it as soon as possible. With tooth extraction site preservation, your dentist can increase your chances of successfully rebuilding your smile after your tooth has been removed.
After a Tooth Is Extracted
The difference between tooth loss and tooth extraction is that extraction is deliberate and often beneficial to your smile. However, the rest of your smile will react to the missing tooth regardless of whether it’s lost or extracted. For instance, the loss of your tooth’s root diminishes the stimulation in your jawbone every time you bite and chew. This reduced stimulation means your jaw receives fewer nutrients, and the bone will begin resorbing as soon as the tooth is uprooted. In time, jawbone degradation increases your risks of further tooth loss, and can make replacing the tooth more difficult, especially if you want a dental implant.
What Is Site Preservation?
Extraction site preservation is the process by which your dentist helps build up and maintain the area of your jawbone around the extracted tooth. Filling in the empty root socket helps preserve the bone’s strength and integrity, and if you wish for a dental implant, the procedure makes placing the implant post easier and more efficient. If your tooth has to be extracted, then site preservation should be a necessary part of the process, for the sake of your long-term oral health.
Ask Your Dentist About Extraction Site Preservation
If you need tooth extraction, then we can preserve the extraction site to stem jawbone degradation and make replacing the tooth easier. To learn more, schedule a consultation with Dr. Carmona by calling Austin Prosthodontics in Austin, TX today at 512-250-9444.
